Handicap International organises an assessment mission

On Wednesday morning, Yushu district was struck by a violent earthquake that sources estimate measured between 6.9 and 7.1 on the Richter Scale. In this isolated, hard-to-reach region, the quake has caused major damage, killing 589 people and injuring 10,000 according to current estimates. Handicap International is mobilising its team on the ground in response to the disaster.

After the earthquake, Handicap International took immediate action to collect as much information as possible from its partners and offered its help and expertise to provide aid to the victims.

A Handicap International vehicle left Chengdu this morning at 8:00 am GMT for the site of the earthquake, carrying a first stock of emergency material (crutches, bandages, dressing pads and neck supports) as well as two members of the Handicap International team: a physical therapist and a logistics specialist. Together, they will make an assessment of the situation to plan the steps of our future action.

Handicap International has been present in China since 1997. It operates projects in the field of rehabilitation, maternal health, care for orphans with disabilities and support of disabled people's organisations. The organisation also responded with major efforts and resources when the Sichuan region was struck by an earthquake in 2008.

Handicap International's actions are located particularly in Chambo, Tibet, 240 km from the epicentre of the earthquake.