World Vision 'Deeply Concerned' by Southern China Flooding
A total of 2.4 million people in China have had to evacuate their homes as a result of severe flooding that spread across 10 provinces and regions in the south and along the eastern coast.
The death toll, meanwhile, has surpassed 200, and damages have been estimated at around $6.4 billion.
China is "facing a severe situation at present and in a certain period in the future," said Chinese Vice Premier Hui Liangyu on Thursday in urging more efforts be made on flood control efforts.
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The country has reached a "crucial and urgent period" for such tasks, he added.
As workers and soldiers began repairing two breached areas on a river Friday, staff from Christian relief group World Vision were on the ground in Jiangxi region conducting initial damage and needs assessments.
"We're deeply concerned by their situation," reported Victor Kan, Humanitarian and Emergency Affairs Director for World Vision China.
"Children and their families are left homeless and with very few possessions. During disasters, children are certainly the most vulnerable," he added.
Based on previous experience, the group has identified the basic needs to include blankets, quilts, tents and food.
"Food is of utmost important now because the last week of June is traditionally harvest time for their first crop," Kan reported.
While World Vision team members planned to move onto Hunan province for further assessments following their time in Jiangxi, more torrential rains were expected for the southern regions of Guizhou, Hunan, Jiangxi, Zhejiang, Fujian, and Guangxi.
China's National Meteorological Center said Wednesday that torrential rains are expected to continue to pound the country's southern regions over the next three days. To date, landslides have already cut off transportation and rivers and reservoirs have overflowed.
As of Wednesday, floods in south China had left 211 people dead and 119 others missing, the Ministry of Civil Affairs reported, according to China's state-run news agency.
The severe flooding is believed to have affected over 29 million people across ten provinces.
