On 12 May 2008, Sichuan, a mountainous province in China, was hit by a 7.9-magnitude earthquake. It was reported that 70,000 people were killed and 18,000 went missing. Schools, homes, hospitals, factories and all kinds of buildings collapsed (as shown above). The need to have schools and hospitals rebuilt was particularly urgent. Our Club donated a substantial amount of money to Operation Concern, a voluntary group led by Professor Leung Ping-chung who devoted much of his time and efforts to help Sichuan people rebuild their lives.

Myanmar was hit by a devastating cyclone in May 2008, causing a death toll of 138,000 and more than a million homeless. Agencies were struggling to reach the victims due to government barriers. Our Club made a donation through the Studer Trust, which was able to provide direct relief support promptly and effectively. Picture shows Peter Gautschi, the founder of Studer Trust, visiting one of the new schools in the Irrawaddy Delta which was built in 2009 with the Zonta donation.