Last week’s 7.1 earthquake in the north-western province of Qinghai, China has left over 2,000 people dead and thousands injured and homeless. Efforts to reach the most vulnerable of the population have begun and Plan UK was one of the first to act, focusing on the children in Qinghai.

Mark Leighton, country director of Plan China, said: “Children are always the most vulnerable in the aftermath of major disasters such as this terrible earthquake.  By cooperating with the Qinghai Working Committee on Children and Women we are able to direct our assistance in a targeted way at especially vulnerable children, young people and women during these critical first few days after the earthquake on 14 April.”

Plan UK reports that among the fatalities and the injured population, between 200,000 and 400,000 children have been affected in some manner or other.

Plan UK has now reported they have been able to successfully deliver two truckloads of supplies to those on the ground to offer immediate relief.

Plan has coordinated with the relevant government representatives along with the Qinghai Working  Committee on Children and Women to distribute supplies to the populations in need, mostly children.  The relief supplies consist of food, clothes, blankets and sanitation kits for the girls and young women.