Supporting Grassroots Initiatives in Conservation & Sustainable Development in the Tibetan Plateau Region of China Qinghai, China / May 1, 2010
REQUEST FOR ASSISTANCE: YUSHU EARTHQUAKE RELIEF & RECOVERY WORK The Need in Yushu Following the devastating earthquake in Yushu, which occurred in the morning of April 14, 2010, there are enormous needs. In the short-term, a medical response and the provision of basic livelihood supplies have been paramount. In the medium term, access to clean water, hygiene and disease control, and sanitation issues as well as improved living conditions including tents and electricity for lighting and recharging mobile phones will all be critical. In the longer-term, physical reconstruction of the city (which has been over 80 percent destroyed), the revitalization of local livelihoods (including small and medium size enterprises, with a special focus on tourism development and other appropriate social ventures) and support to government bureaus for the provision of social services, including health care and education, also will be necessary. More information about the earthquake, as well as our response to date, can also be found at http://yushuearthquakerelief.com.
The Response So Far Plateau Perspectives has responded to the request from prefecture government to assist in disaster relief work since April 14, 2010. In the first 10 days, we focused our efforts on running a medical camp in Yushu that saw and treated between 120 and 250 patients per day. Now, we are organizing for 30 water purification units to be installed in Yushu, in coordination with county government, to enhance people’s access to clean water throughout the town and in surrounding displaced persons camps – each unit providing sufficient water for 2,500 people. In addition, delivery of large tents and other supplies to help improve living conditions is being arranged for the near future. At every step of the way, we are coordinating our relief response with government partners in Yushu, as well as communicating regularly with other local relief efforts.
What We Need Now Given the extensive devastation caused by the earthquake, not only is an immediate disaster relief needed for the people of Yushu, but also a much longer-term, comprehensive and sustained response – to help the people of Yushu rebuild their town and their lives. To assist in this endeavour, there are three ways in which companies (and individuals) can help: -
Financial donations
To organize and carry out our emergency relief response and longer-term recovery program in Yushu – with specific activities to be determined in concert with local partners. However we expect that specific areas will include support for health care and education, rehabilitation, development of new or alternative livelihoods, vocational training, tourism and more.
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In-kind donations
To donate appropriate disaster relief supplies to aid the people of Yushu, as requested by local government and non-government partners; supplies also are needed to furnish and equip Plateau Perspectives’ new office in Xining, which is dedicated to the Yushu Earthquake Relief program.
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Professional expertise
To support the physical rebuilding of Yushu town as well as assisting in the provision of social services, at a regional level, and rebuilding people’s livelihoods.
Why Help? Beyond the humanitarian reasons for helping, your assistance will also highlight your company’s presence in China and, even more importantly, the values that you maintain – namely, to benefit the broader community where you work, and to promote good environmental stewardship by supporting Plateau Perspectives’ work. You can learn more about Plateau Perspectives’ integrated conservation and sustainable development work in the Tibetan plateau region on our website, http://www.plateauperspectives.org, including our partnership with the Sanjiangyuan National Nature Reserve and local communities in the Yangtze River headwaters. Plateau Perspectives’ international Council of Reference includes the following members: Dr Calvin DeWitt, Professor of Environmental Studies, University of Wisconsin-Madison Sir Brian Heap CBE ScD FRS, former Master of St Edmunds College, Cambridge University Dr John Hodges, Consultant, formerly with United Nation's Food & Agriculture Organization Sir John Polkinghorne KBE FRS, former President of Queens College, Cambridge University Sir Ghillean Prance FRS VMH, former Director of Kew Royal Botanic Gardens Mr Matthias Stiefel, Executive Director, WSP International Mr David Taylor, Executive Advisor in Humanitarian Assistance, World Vision International Dr Tony Whitten, Senior Biodiversity Scientist, Biodiversity Group, The World Bank When you choose to assist the people of Yushu through Plateau Perspectives – to alleviate their suffering and help them rebuild their future – you can be assured of the highest level of professionalism.
Goals and Impact Your donation to Yushu Earthquake Relief will greatly assist in immediate emergency relief and/or recovery from the devastating earthquake on April 14, 2010. Plateau Perspectives has worked in the Yushu area for over a decade, and we plan to continue working in the area for years to come. We are not an organization that has just arrived on the scene to carry out some relief work, and then will leave once the work has slowed down… In fact, our development goals remain the same as ever: to help people and communities in the Tibetan Plateau region improve their quality of life, in ways that are viable and practical, culturally appropriate, and environmentally sustainable. The short- and long-term impacts of your donation will be significant for the people of Yushu, ranging from a present relief from suffering (e.g., through medical assistance and the provision of tents for shelter) to longterm improvements in health care, the development of viable local businesses, and environmental protection. While over $100,000 USD has already been raised, much more is still needed to achieve the long-term impact we feel could be achieved. Please therefore consider donating generously so that we may continue working closely and effectively with our many friends, colleagues, and partners – for the rebuilding of Yushu.
For more information… For more information, please contact Dr J Marc Foggin directly at foggin@plateauperspectives.org. You can also visit our two websites: http://www.plateauperspectives.org http://yushuearthquakerelief.com Plateau Perspectives Canada 200 Walnut Ave, St Lambert, QC J4P 2T1 Registered charity no. 88353 0511 RR0001 Plateau Perspectives Scotland Kincaple House, Kincaple, St Andrews, KY16 9SH Recognized charity no. SC036202 Plateau Perspectives Xining Representative Office Yushu Xincun, Sujia Hewan, Bldg 9, Apt 352 Xining, Qinghai Province 810008, China Business number (BN) 78144734-9