It can be difficult to respond to a disaster as significant as China's Sichuan earthquake. The devastation is staggering- over 51,000 confirmed dead, 5 million people homeless, and hundreds of thousands injured, which can make us feel powerless.
For most of us, volunteering in Sichuan Province to rebuild houses or work in medical clinics might not be a viable option. On the other hand, just because we can't be physically part of the action doesn't mean that there aren't other things that we can do to help the victims.
FINANCIAL GIVING is one of the most obvious ways, and there are many wonderful organizations with teams on the ground, providing much-needed physical and emotional support to the victims. There are several organizations with volunteers on the ground who need resources to purchase more tents, quilts, medicine, and various other supplies.
The good news is there are many organizations that are involved in earthquake relief. The bad news is, not all charities are created equal. With a little research, it's easy to find an organization that will use your donation wisely.
China's charitable sector is more highly regulated than that in the U.S., so when giving for disaster relief in China, it's important to make sure that the charity is authorized to work in China, or has a relationship with a Chinese relief agency.
Resources like Charity Navigator and MinistryWatch are two websites that profiles ministries and charities so donors can know that their financial contributions reach the intended recipients. Charity Navigator, in particular, has a special site on China's earthquake relief, and features particular charities that either work directly in China, or have a partnership with approved Chinese relief agencies.
Operation Blessing International, one of the featured charites, has been actively involved in earthquake relief through its strategic partnership with CBN China, which has been officially recognized by the Chinese government since 1999. (disclaimer- CBN News and CBN China are both part of CBN, and both groups, along with Operation Blessing, share the same founder.)
Representatives from Operation Blessing have been on the ground in Chengdu since the earthquake hit last week, and has been working with groups including the Red Cross, Children's Hope International, local churches, and The China Foundation for Poverty Alleviation.
The Samaritan's Purse, Mercy Corps, and the China Charity Federation,(which is affiliated with the United Way) are just a few more of the many humanitarian organizations that have been providing assistance to the needy. Additional resources and supplies will become even more needed in the months to come as the relief efforts continue.
Partnering with a relief organization is a great way to be part of the action. Many groups will send several updates on their work, showing how your donation is changing lives. Even though you might not be able to be on the ground physically, you can see what's happening through videos and photos on their websites.
Of course, financial contributions only take care of part of the problem. Thousands have lost their family and friends, which are of much greater value than material possessions. More than anything else, people need a sense of hope, and they need to know that they're not alone.
If you have friends or know people who were impacted by the earthquake, a PHONE CALL, CARD, OR EMAIL can go a long way.
If you don't have any personal connection to those who lost their lives, you can still send a letter, email, or other support to the people of China. There are Chinese Embassies and consulates throughout the world that have books of condolences, where people can express their sympathes. Even President Bush visited the Embassy in Washington, DC to pay his respects.
You can also email your condolences to CHINACONNECTIONBLOG AT GMAIL.COM, and I can pass them directly on to relief workers who are at Ground Zero.
Beyond letters, there are other creative ways to express support for the victims. One American, whose Chinese name is Ah De wrote a song called "Little Doves," and it has had thousands of views on YouTube. You can hear the song, along with pictures of some of the children who have died in the quake.
For most of us, making a donation or sending a quick email is probably a little more realistic than writing a song, but even these small expressions of sympathy can go a long way.