Torrential and persistent rain from August 7 to August 8 has caused a devastating mudslides disaster in Zhouqu County, Ganan area of Gansu Province that buried more than 300 peasants' residence in 3 villages and blocked Bailong river, a branch at the upper reaches of Jialing River, forming a barrier lake. It submerged part of Zhouqu County and suspended power, transportation and telecommunications. As of 17:20 of August 11, the natural disaster had taken a toll of 1117; 64 people were hospitalized due to serious injury and 627 still missing. The suddenness of the hit and its big impact areas have caused difficulties in the subsequent relief efforts: restoration of power and mobile communications in the city are still below standard; food and water supply are still in dire shortage; clearing up affected areas to rescue life still hard to expedite and preventing epidemic disease becomes high and tough on the agenda.

General Secretary Hu Jingtao has made important instructions after the calamity occurred and he required full attention and efforts to relief works. Premier Wen Jiabao even went to the disaster area to lead the relief works on site.

In order to help and enable affected people in Zhouqu to live thru this huge challenge in life, Chinese Red Cross Foundation (CRCF) sent an urgent relief fund of 500,000 Yuan to Red Cross Society of Gansu Province for the purchasing of food, drinking water and other relief goods. CRCF likes to take this opportunity to enlist donations and help from caring people in all walks of society. Your contributions will directly help the impacted people combat the flood and rebuild their homes!

CRCF will work with the Red Cross in the flooded areas and apply your contributions (both from caring individuals and enterprises) to the building of "New Residence of Fraternity", schools, clinics and other needed infrastructures.

Donation to CRCF, please contact:

Hotlines: (10) 65129097, 65222340

From overseas: 8610 65599762

Fax: (10) 65599762

Address for on-site donation: 53 Ganmian Hutong, Dongdan Beidajie Dongcheng District, Beijing Zip code: 100010

Bank Transfer (please specify "Zhouqu disaster relief")

Account Name: Chinese Red Cross Foundation

Bank 1: China Construction Bank Beijing Chaoneidajie sub-branch

Account No.: 11001070300059000427

Bank 2: Bank of China, Beijing Branch

Account No.: 800100921908091001

Bank 3: Industrial and Construction Bank of China Beijing Dongsi Nan Sub-branch

Account No: 0200001019014483874

Bank 4: (For Foreign Currency): Bank of China

Account No.: 800100086608091014