A plethora of organizations have recently formed to provide emergency needs to those impacted by the recent earthquake in Chengdu, China.
The city of Phoenix has been dedicated to helping it's Sister City, Chengdu, with earthquake relief efforts, and has created an account with Wells Fargo Bank for donations. To date, Wells Fargo has accumulated over $90,000 in donations, according to Rick Gerrard, Phoenix Sister City Liaison.
"This is very near and dear to our hearts, we have been Sister Cities with Chengdu for over twenty-two years. When they're suffering, we're suffering," Gerrard said.
The donations are helping to rebuild schools and businesses and providing assistance with hospital supplies for those injured.
The earthquake, which occurred on May 12, has affected approximately 15 million people who lived in the affected area. Official figures from the Multidisciplinary Center for Earthquake Engineering Research state that as of June 13, 68,620 are confirmed dead with 374,142 others injured and 17,445 still listed as missing.
Approximately five million people have been left homeless, though the number is said to possibly reach as high as 11 million people. Tremors were spread throughout China reaching as far as Beijing and Shanghai, and destroying thousands of homes and businesses, as well as infrastructure such as electrical towers, and communication networks. It was the deadliest and strongest earthquake to hit China since the 1976 Tangshan earthquake, which killed approximately 240,000 people.
Wells Fargo is temporarily eliminating all transfer fees for customers sending money using the ExpressSend service to those in China who have been impacted by the earthquake. The offer is effective through June 30, 2008.
"Our hearts go out to all those who have been impacted by the earthquake in China," said Daniel Ayala, head of Wells Fargo's Global Remittance Services Group, in a press release on May 14. "We're united in helping customers support their families and friends as they begin the recovery process."
Tax-deductible donations are still being accepted for the Relief Fund. Donations can be made at all Wells Fargo Bank branches, dropped off at the Phoenix Sister Cities Office, or via phone at 602-534-3751.
