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 New reports continue to pour in everyday about the latest
casualty and death tolls in result of the Sichuan China earthquake. According to new statistics released by the
Chinese government, over 70,000 people are believed to be dead or missing, with
40,000 people officially declared dead so far in the aftermath of the quake.
As eight days have passed since the first quake hit, Lee
Glendinning of the Guardian reports, that the government in China is now
shifting its attention from rescue efforts to relief and treatment of survivors
of the disaster. Thousands of people are homeless in result in the quake as
countless people continue to sleep in the streets because of the fear of
aftershocks and further collapses.
Some of the first reports to come out of the Sichuan china
earthquake included heart wrenching stories of the collapse of entire schools
on students and teachers, leading thousands to be killed and injured. According to Tania Branigan of the Guardian,
the government has stated that almost 7,000 classrooms have been destroyed by
the quake throughout the region.
Three days of national mourning was declared by the Chinese
government, beginning the exact moment on Monday that would mark the one week
anniversary of the quake. Olympic torch
relay for the 2008 Beijing Olympics was also suspended in respect for victims
of the quake.
London's Chinese community will also pay their respects to
the departed of the earthquake with a candlelight vigil held in Chinatown on
Wednesday May 21st 2008 from 8pm to 11pm. This vigil will mark the
end of the three days of mourning declared by the Chinese government as Chinese
people all over the world are also remembering the lives lost in ceremonies and
services of remembrance. One minute
silence services will be held throughout the night during the London Chinatown
Sichuan earthquake candlelight vigil on every half an hour.
As the tragedy in China continues to unfold, Londoners have
opened up their hearts and wallets to help raise money for the Sichuan China
earthquake relief efforts at an event held in London's Chinatown on May 18th
2008. In a mere 5 hours, £70,000
was raised to help the victims of the China earthquake, as many members of the
London Chinatown and British Chinese community including Dimsum team members,
Todd Tran, Richard Hong, Hui Huang and Luke Jackson, who contributed their time
and effort to put on this fundraising event.
Volunteers at the Sichuan China earthquake Relief 2008 event
did what they could to encourage Londoners and visitors alike to donate funds
on Sunday. Performers also volunteered their skills on Sunday as there were
performances of Cantonese opera, pop renditions by members of the London
Chinatown Lions Club, and auctions of Chinese calligraphy amongst others. Funds
raised will be passed on to the UK Chinese Embassy to directly aid relief
efforts for earthquake victims and help in the rebuilding of homes, schools,
and infrastructure.
For those who were not able to attend the event on Sunday,
it is not too late to give to the cause, as donation boxes have been placed in
all the restaurants in Chinatown to encourage visitors and diners to do their
part in help victims recover from the earthquake.
More funds are on the way as over £150,000 has been pledged by organizers and
associates of the Sichuan China Earthquake Relief to help the cause.
"Businesses
were pledging their profits to the fund and associations were encouraged to
hold mini fundraising events and continue the donations," said Gary Li of the
Chair of the Confederation of Chinese Associations in a press release by the BC
project. According to Li, Sunday's event was only the tip of the iceberg for a
programme of events in the future to raise awareness and funds for the Sichuan
China earthquake.
Those who wish to donate to the relief efforts associated
with the China earthquake are encouraged to do so through official
channels. Donors are being advised to be
cautious of fraudulent charities set up after the disaster. For those who wish
to donate to quake relief efforts in the UK, please check out the links to the UK
Chinese Embassy special earthquake account and the British Red Cross earthquake appeal. Pamela Yau Images courtesy of The BC Project
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