One moment, students in China were reciting lessons, shoppers were at the market and farmers were tending to crops. The next, schools crumbled and homes collapsed as the land abruptly shifted beneath them. The earthquake—more powerful than any to hit China in three decades—left almost 87,000 dead or missing, 375,000 injured and 15 million homeless. Aftershocks continued for months and, along with winter rains and landslides, complicated the relief and recovery response.

Red Cross Response

The Red Cross is leading a recovery operation that will support families as they heal and rebuild. Staff and volunteers from the Red Cross were among the first on the ground and continue to help survivors recover in Sichuan, Gansu and Shaanxi provinces. 

The American Red Cross – together with national Red Cross and Red Crescent societies from around the world – has been there each step of the way to provide support. Within 72 hours of the earthquake, the American Red Cross sent $10 million in cash assistance. At the same time, we deployed disaster responders to help assess needs and monitor relief and recovery operations.

Through support from generous corporations, foundations and individuals, the American Red Cross is proud to have committed more than $55 million as part of this effort, making it the largest international supporter of this Red Cross and Red Crescent relief effort. The American Red Cross has allocated $16.2 million for relief activities and $38.8 million for recovery and preparedness programs.

Additional Resources 

• One-Year Update on the American Red Cross Response
• Profiles of American Red Cross Disaster Responders
• Progress as Homes are Rebuilt in Sichuan
• International Disaster Preparedness Programs