Today China is observing a national day of mourning for the over 2,000 people who lost their lives in the recent earthquake.  The 7.1 quake hit China’s Yushu in Qinghai province in the early hours of the morning last week and has devastated the landscape.

School children, labourers and even relief workers gathered and members of the media read statements to commemorate the people who had died in this natural disaster.  It was followed by a nation-wide three minutes of silence.

For those who are left in the aftermath, things are challenging.  Tens of thousands of people have been left homeless and dozens of schools and hospitals are inaccessible.  With 12,ooo people injured aid is struggling to keep up with demands. Tents have been supplied as a temporary measure but temperatures are dropping below freezing at night making new solutions imperative.

So far, an SOS correspondent has reported, many Tibetan nuns and monks have been working tirelessly to help wherever they can.  The disappointment, he adds, is the Chinese government’s lack of acknowledgment of this assistance.  Any mention of the nuns or monks has been suspiciously absent from today’s ceremony.

There are currently 200 people missing amongst the ruin and many parents are fearing for their children’s lives. SOS continues its work in their Children’s Villages throughout China and has offered supplies to the effected region. It will take a great deal of time to rebuild this part of the country and the concern is the many children and youth who have been left without family.  You can help by supporting SOS‘s continued efforts and clicking below.