Recently, Plan has been assisting in the recovery efforts following the earthquake that rattled China’s Yunnan province on August 3. The 6.5-magnitude quake caused the deaths of hundreds of people and injured thousands more. Infrastructure in the area was also severely damaged by the earthquake, and many families were displaced from their homes. Although first responders were hindered by secondary disasters such as landslides and flooding, Plan quickly deployed a team to the area to make an assessment of the damage and begin providing assistance to those affected. The organization is focusing especially on assisting children whose homes and schools were badly damaged.
Currently, Plan is in the process of building two child-friendly spaces that will provide community-centered activities and serve as a temporary school during the rebuilding process. Plan staff members are also distributing school and hygiene kits to children and families throughout the Yunnan province. For more information about Plan’s work in China, or to make a donation to the recovery efforts, visit www.planusa.org.