BEIJING, April 22, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Give2Asia, a US-based social enterprise with China operations based in Beijing, and Give2Asia Hong Kong, serving Asia-based philanthropy, together launched a campaign to help communities suffering following the 6.6 magnitude quake that struck Sichuan Province on Saturday, April 20.
On April 20 and 21, Give2Asia's local team assessed needs both immediate and long-term. Over the first 24-hour period of the campaign, Give2Asia raised $1.1 million, including $1 million from the PepsiCo Foundation.
According to the latest reports, the quake, centered near the city of Ya'an in rural Lushan County, affected 1.5 million people, injured 11,000 and killed over 180. In 2008, an 8.0 quake that struck nearby killed 80,000.
"Give2Asia's staff in Beijing is in contact with regional partners currently assisting the grieving, the injured and the displaced," said Xiao Rong, Representative for China at Give2Asia. "We want to provide support for these local organizations from international donors to aid their efforts in saving lives now and in rebuilding livelihoods down the road."
- US-based donors can support the Give2Asia Sichuan Earthquake Fund 2013 at www.give2asia.org/sichuan-quake2013.
- Asia-based donors can support the Give2Asia Sichuan Earthquake Fund 2013 at www.give2asia.org/sichuan2013-hk.
All gifts will be used for relief and recovery efforts in partnership with local organizations
"Our staff on the ground has conveyed the devastation resulting from Saturday's quake," said Gillian Yeoh, Give2Asia's Disaster Program Lead. "Our role in this tragedy is to ensure that efforts today and over the next several months are as effective as possible in helping local communities recover."
About Give2Asia
Give2Asia makes international grant making safe, effective, and impactful. Since its founding in 2001, Give2Asia has raised $206 million in gifts and donations from corporate, foundation, and individual donors for community partners in Asia. Give2Asia has demonstrated its effectiveness in serving the needs of international philanthropy with its on-the-ground presence, knowledge of diverse social and economic conditions, and the expert matching of donor interests with innovative and effective grantees.
Following the Sichuan earthquake in May 2008, Give2Asia raised $16 million for 56 projects with over 40 different local partners. Give2Asia has responded to over 35 disasters in Asia since its founding in 2001.
Available for Interview:
Gillian Yeoh
Senior Program Officer, Disaster Response Lead
Give2Asia
San Francisco, CA
Xiao Rong
Representative for China
Give2Asia
Beijing, China