World Vision Aids Yunnan Earthquake Victims

Jun 06, 2007 05:20 AM EDT

One of the world's largest charity organization has begun relief efforts in the earthquake-devastated Chinese province of Yunnan.

World Vision's Hong Kong office announced that they plan to distribute food and quilts enough for 9,000 people in Ninger County and Simao district.

The organization will also build tents for homeless survivors as well as "school tents" for students after their schools were destroyed or damaged in the quake.

About 360,000 houses were either destroyed or badly damaged in the area surrounding Pu’er City, near the epicenter of the quake, World Vision reported

The quake that struck early Sunday, 1,470 southwest of Beijing had a preliminary magnitude of 6.2, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

State-owned Xinhua News reported that at least three people were killed and more than 290 were injured, with 15 in serious condition.

Over 120,000 residents have been evacuated after many buildings were deemed unsafe. Amongst the damaged buildings included the local seismological bureau, which recorded 233 aftershocks by 2 p.m., Monday, with the strongest magnitude recorded at 5.1.

The quakes was felt at far 190 miles away, stated Xinhua.

World Vision Hong Kong has begun accepting donations via the internet:

Link to Yunnan Earthquake Donation Page