Sichuan Charity’s Experience in 5.12 Earthquake

1. Sichuan Charity’s Experience in 5.12 Earthquake

2. Background On May 12, 2008, a 8.0 magnitude earthquake struck China. It was the worst and the most destructive natural disaster since China’s establishment. • Total affected area in Sichuan province was 280,000 square kilometers, in which 125,000 square kilometers was severely affected area. • The number of victims were 29.61 million. 68,800 people dead, 17,900 people were missing, and 37,500 people were injured. • Roads, telecommunication, water supply infrastructures were severely damaged in Beichuan county, Wenchuan County and Yingxiu town. • Nearly 1.47 million houses collapsed, and 2.72 million houses seriously damaged. • In Sichuan province, the total economic loss caused by this earthquake was 1.13433 trillion yuan, with a direct economic loss of 845.1 billion yuan. • Serious lack of food, drinking water, medicine, tents, rescue personnel, medical care and goods distribution.

3. 4 Methods for Relief Work 1. Actively organize disaster relief activities 2. Carry out charitable fundraising campaigns 3. Standardize the management and the use of donated funds and goods 4. Accelerate the implementation of reconstruction projects supported by donation

4. Actively Organize Disaster Relief Activities • Emergency meeting at the first time after the earthquake, start the emergency plan. • Issue a earthquake disaster relief proposal to call for the support and help from whole society. • Form disaster relief working team, set up donation receiving points, open donation telephone line, on-line donation and foreign currency donation channel. • Organize charity organizations to visit the disaster area. • Charity organizations at all levels carry out rapid response, to participate in disaster relief and fundraising activities. • Charity organizations in Sichuan province had formed an efficient, smooth and consistent social donation mobilization system.

5. Carry Out Charity Fundraising Campaigns Until November 2008, the provincial charity federation received 4.128 billion yuan donation. 625 million yuan was undesignated donation and 3.462 billion yuan was designated donation. The donation was designated to victim allocation, school and social welfare facility reconstruction, etc. • Temporary donation station was set up, professional volunteers served at donation points. • Cities and counties carried out fundraising activities such as charity performance, charity auctions. Fixed and mobile donation points were set up to receive charitable donation.

6. Standardize the Management and the Use of Donated Funds & Goods • Transparent of information on receiving and use of donated funds and goods • Standardize the procedure of managing and monitoring fund donation • Strictly standardize the purchase of disaster relief materials • To constantly review, revise and improve the management work according to problems arose from the work or suggestions provided by related organizations

7. Accelerate the Implementation of Reconstruction Projects • Apply a donation supported project management and supervision / inspection mechanism to ensure the donation was used in an appropriate manner. Appoint particular personnel to be responsible for the reconstruction projects. • Sign up project agreement with each project implementation and management institution. Clarify the payment process and condition for the donation. • Work with local relative institutions / organizations to strengthen the supervision of project bidding, material purchasing, project management and inspection. Strength the supervision of fund payment and project status.

8. Accelerate the Implementation of Reconstruction Projects • In order to realize the donor’s desire, before the projects were started, our staff traveled to project locations to investigate the damage situation. We worked closely with the local government, to discuss the reconstruction plan, arrangement and status. In the implementation process, our staff often visit project sites to ensure the use of donated fund and the project status. Upon the project completion, our staff would go to the project area to inspect the construction result and evaluate the social impact of the project. Other relative institutions also carried out special inspection for the reconstruction projects supported by social donation. From the beginning of the donation use, supervision, management, auditing, etc. had been carried out throughout the whole process.

9. Accelerate the Implementation of Reconstruction Projects • According to statistics, from 5.12 earthquake to February 2011, Sichuan Charity Federation had used all the undesignated donation and 3.462 billion yuan designated donation on 1,146 projects. Those include 347 school projects, 79 medical projects, 216 social welfare projects, 12 community construction projects, 17 house and infrastructure construction projects, 348 emergency relief and living aids projects, and 127 projects under other categories. Until April 20th, 90% of the projects have been completed.

10. Experience & Thoughts • An emergency action plan • Strengthen Charity Awareness

11. Conclusion The reconstruction work has gained much charity support from inside and outside China. This spirit of charity would bless more and more people’s lives.