Use the PayPal “DONATE” button below to aid in this effort.
Over 1,700 Tibetans were killed and tens of thousands injured in the earthquake that struck the
eastern Tibetan Plateau Wednesday morning, April 14th. The quake demolished the town that serves
as a major supply center for the five schools that Tibet Aid serves in that region. Our schools
were not damaged in the original quake or in the aftershocks, but some of our teachers and friends
lost their entire families.
The Chinese government has committed itself to meeting basic material needs yet has declined to
admit volunteers, international aid organizations, and journalists to the region. Tibetan monks,
nuns, and villagers are working tirelessly to assist the wounded and grieving. Because our Rural
Tibetan Elementary School programs are administered from villages in the surrounding area, we are
in a position to support the local Tibetan relief efforts.
We are requesting donations of any amount to provide emergency food, clothing, and shelter;
transportation for lamas and Tibetan aid workers; medical supplies, including traditional Tibetan
medicines; and translators. You can donate by contacting us with your credit or debit card i
nformation, by using a special PayPal link on this page, or by sending checks payable to Tibet Aid
with “Earthquake Relief ” in the memo line to our office:
Tibet Aid
34 Tinker Street
Woodstock NY 12498
USA
Even $1 (one dollar) sent to this effort adds another voice of unity with the Tibetan monks, nuns,
and villagers who are giving everything they have to take care of those in need during this
extremely difficult time.
We have put together a few pieces of information to help clarify some of the confusing information
that has come through in various news reports (see FAQ below), and we will send more news as it
comes in.
May this suffering pass quickly!
FAQ
Q: Was the earthquake in Tibet?
A: The earthquake centered in Jiegu, a town in the region of Kyigudo (Chinese: Yushu) in the
province of Amdo (Chinese: Qinghai), which is outside the Tibetan Autonomous Region (TAR). Chinese
news media and some international news reports therefore describe the quake as łoutside Tibet,˛
although the approximately 70,000 residents of the town are 97% Tibetan. Both the late Panchen Lama
and His Holiness the Dalai Lama were born in Amdo.
Q: How great was the damage?
A: The death toll has climbed to over 1,700 and is still rising, with the number of injured
estimated as approximately 10,000. Over 85% of buildings, including many schools and monasteries
were demolished. Thrangu Monastery was reportedly destroyed completely, killing 20 monks and
injuring 50 others. Monks from Thrangu monastery, Surmang monastery, Sershul monastery, Sekar
monastery, and others gave immediate aid, rescuing people and supplies from the rubble. Many
survivors endured freezing temperatures without shelter for the first two days. Roads are now being
cleared and rescue efforts have been ramped up. Food, first aid, and tents are being delivered into
the town.
Q: Were the five schools served by Tibet Aid damaged?
A: The schools and their surrounding villages were not damaged by the quake or aftershocks, but
almost everyone from the schools has lost friends and family members.
Q: What is needed?
A: The immediate needs are food, shelter, and medical care. The Chinese government has committed
resources to meet these material needs, but they have declined international assistance in the
rescue and relief operations. Government relief workers are not adapted to the altitude of the area,
and they cannot easily communicate with the largely Tibetan population. During both the immediate
emergency period and during the rebuilding effort, funds are needed to keep lamas and other Tibetan
leaders in a position to meet spiritual and other needs that they are uniquely placed to identify.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama has offered the assistance of the Tibetan community in exile and has
requested permission to travel to the affected area and pray with and comfort the people there.
Q: What can we do to help?
A: Tibet Aid is coordinating the delivery of funds for earthquake relief by extending our existing
programs for educational and medical assistance on the eastern Tibetan Plateau. We greatly
appreciate your one-time donation for earthquake relief or a continuing donation for educational
and medical assistance.
For more information, please contact us
(email: info@tibetaid.org or toll free: 1-877-TIBETAID = 1-877-842-3842).
