Yushu Earthquake Recovery Effort

Please join Tibetan Village Project to help rebuilding lives of those that affected by April 14th earthquake in Yushu. Among others, funds needed to provide winterized tents and rebuild business communites. Here is an overview of the recovery effort.

Tamdin with a homeless person in Yushu

Immediate Response: TVP has received an amazing response from around the world since the earthquake on April 14th that killed about 2,300 (official count) people; injured more than 10,000, and destroyed about 85 percent of the houses in Jiegu, a town of 100,000 people. TVP was one of the first Tibetan organizations to be on the ground and played an important role in forming and coordinating the relief effort of the Yushu Earthquake Response Coalition.

With your generous support, TVP raised approximately $175,000 between April 16th and July 1st specifically for Yushu earthquake aid, which included: (1) coordinating relief effort; (2) distributing supplies such as food, water, clothing, tents, and other basic staples; (3) supporting temporary relief workers and volunteers; and (4) helping to rebuild business communities

Interim Response: As an interim response, TVP is working to identify aid gaps and is focusing on areas that are getting the least support from the government and other aid agencies; this includes dealing with sanitation problems, supporting temporary relief workers, and facilitating relief efforts with various NGOs. One important aid gap that TVP has identified is the temporary shelter issues. Initial aid distribution (by the government or under its direction) included one tent per family, regardless of the size of the family. A family of eight has to share a single 12 x 12 foot tent. In addition, these are poor quality summer tents that leak when it rains heavily and tear when there is a strong wind. It is unclear how families and children will survive the upcoming winter. The average altitude in most earthquake-affected areas is about 13,123 feet (4000 meters) and cold. The government states the reconstruction of homes will take up to three years. As result, TVP made goal to provide high quality winter tents for few hundred most need families in Yushu. TVP is pleased to report that we have accomplished our goal of providing 300 winterized tents for families victimized by the Yushu earthquake. This is the positive result of everyone who made generous contributions, volunteered many hours, and sent us good wishes and blessings!

Long-Term Response: While the government and their counterparts have pledged millions of dollars to rebuild Yushu, most people question how funds will be used. To lessen dependency on external aid, as well as create an environment where aid can be utilized properly, there is an immediate need to provide support and training to get businesses back up and running. A highly competitive and distorted market is rapidly emerging for goods and services in post-disaster Jiegu/Yushu, and there is particular need to train those who do not have experience in commerce or services, and those whose previous work is no longer possible, to be able to rapidly enter and operate in this environment.

TVP plans to focus on rebuilding lives (one family at a time in villages) by providing skills training and offering seed money to develop businesses and ultimately to generate income and assist in developing commerce and independence in post-earthquake Yushu (see our microfinance program). Whether you choose to support directly or use other aid agencies, people of Yushu need support from everyone. If you or someone you know is interested in supporting a specific project through TVP, please contact us to receive a proposal.

With your continued support, we can reassure the people of Yushu that while their story is no longer on the front page of newspapers, they will not be forgotten, and people around the world care about their fellow human beings. Please consider making a donation and share this page with others using social media networks such as Facebook and Twitter. Thank You.

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