MASSIVE EARTHQUAKE STRIKES CHINA
Death toll 67,183 and rising

An 8.0 magnitude quake rocked Southeast China Monday, May 12, killing tens of thousands and injuring more than 360,000. Over 20,000 people are still missing tonight. The earthquake was among the worst to strike China in decades, devastating countless small cities and towns in Sichuan and other nearby provinces. Two massive aftershocks struck on May 27th, causing the collapse of nearly half of a million additional homes throughout the region. Nearly 200 aftershocks have been reported since the initial quake. A seemingly incomprehensible figure, 45.61 million people have been impacted by this disaster unlike any other in recent history. The World Health Organization has confirmed that the major health priority remains the treatment of the injured.

The quake and it's many aftershocks have veritably transformed the geography of the region. Several "quake lakes" have been created by the disaster and authorities are evacuating hundreds of thousands of people from areas at risk of flash flooding and other hazards. Many roads remain impassible and authorities are doing what they can to access those in remote, mountainous areas.

Chinese President Hu Jintao has called for "all-out" efforts to rescue victims of the earthquake. NYC Medics is preparing to answer the call, assembling a team of medical professionals to respond as soon as possible. To support NYC Medics' work to reach people in China and those affected by other disasters, CLICK HERE.



Please continue to check our website for updates as we continue to monitor the situation.

CYCLONE NARGIS DEVESTATES MYANMAR
Nearly 22,500 Dead, 41,000 Missing

On May 2nd and 3rd , Cyclone Nargis swept through Myanmar, devastating the Ayeyarwady delta region and the city of Yangon.

The government estimates that over 77,000 people have lost their lives and another 56,000 are missing. Without critical aid for vulnerable populations, thousands more will perish. The UN estimates that over 2.4 million people are in dire need of help tonight. Frightfully, less than half (41%) of these people have received assistance. In most of these cases, the assistance was partial. In the Ayeyarwady delta which bore the brunt of the destruction, only 23% of victims have been reached.

UN agencies and humanitarian aid organizations which were already on the ground in Myanmar prior to the disaster are doing what they can to help wherever possible. We have worked together with some of them in the past and are in contact now to determine how NYC Medics can best support the response.

We know from experience that every minute counts in the wake of such a disaster. People in remote areas are particularly vulnerable. Without the rapid deployment of direct medical and humanitarian aid, the people of Myanmar will suffer a second disaster-namely a major health crisis- presumably more lethal than the first.

Please continue to check our website for updates as we continue to monitor the situation.

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