Triangle Groups Aid Victims of Chinese Blizzards

Cary, N.C. — Local Chinese community groups have banded together to offer a helping hand to a southern Chinese province wracked by the country's worst blizzards in 50 years.

The Chinese American Friendship Association, N.C. China Center and student groups have collected $10,000 to assist recovery in Hunan province.

In April 2007, North Carolina's state government and Hunan's provincial government established a sister state relationship.

Snowstorms, beginning Jan. 10 and lasting for nearly a month, killed 107 people, caused 354,000 houses to collapse, stranded millions of travelers around New Years and damaged 3.2 million acres of crops across China. The Chinese government estimated damage nationwide at $15.5 billion.

Hunan – a temperate southern province that rarely sees snow – sustained an economic loss of $2 billion. Blackouts lasted for nearly two weeks in some Hunan cities.

Also helping in the disaster relief efforts are the China Star, Triangle Area Chinese American Society, Duke Chinese Student and Scholar Association, Friendship Association of Chinese Students and Scholars at UNC Chapel Hill and Chinese Student and Scholar Friendship Association at NC State University.

All donations are being sent to the Red Cross Society of China, and organizers say 100 percent will go directly to a blizzard relief fund for Hunan residents.

Donations can be made online:

NC China Center
P.O. Box 873
Morrisville, NC 27560

CAFA
P.O. Box 898
Cary, NC 27512