World Vision has distributed noodles, hygiene kits and child-friendly kits to quake survivors in Qinghai, as part of a collective effort to ease some imminent difficulties of the people affected by the massive 6.9 earthquake which hit Qinghai on 14 April 2010.

2,000 quilts provided by World Vision are also on their way to help the quake survivors cope with the extreme weather.

World Vision’s assessment team carrying emergency supplies have arrived in Jiegu township and Nangqian county, two of the worst hit areas. Items such as hygiene kits, child friendly kits and 1,000 boxes of noodles were immediately distributed to those whose lives have been shattered by the quake.

Speaking from Xining City, Meimei Leung, Senior Humanitarian Emergency Affairs Officer for World Vision China, said: “The area devastated by the quake is over 4,000 meters above sea level. This poses challenges for aid workers who must battle altitude sickness as they work to provide life-saving supplies to children and their families.”

Over 80% of the buildings were seriously damaged and the affected population. David Qiu, member of the assessment team, has witnessed the damage in the affected areas. “Almost all houses collapsed. Cracks are formed in many buildings devastated by the quake. Many people are currently staying in temporary shelters in open areas for the sake of safety.”

One of the challenges posed to the affected population is weather. “It is about 15-16 degree Celsius in the morning but the temperature will go down to minus degree at night. People especially children with no shelter and enough warm clothing will easily get sick under such an extreme weather.” He added.

In Xinzhai Village, rows of tents have been set up in open areas while there are still some people living in front of their collapsed houses.

According to the team’s assessment results, food, quilts, hygiene kits, and education supplies are urgently needed to provide relief and stability to children. World Vision will explore conducting home rehabilitation and Disaster Risk Reduction activities during the rehabilitation phase.