Bundle Up, Baby Boy....

China is currently experiencing the worst snowstorm in 50 years. We had heard only a bit about this the other day, but did not realize the enormity of it. Even the balmy areas like Guilin (where Kate is from) whose climate is much like ours in Florida and Guiyang, Guizhou (where Addison awaits), is experiencing heavy snow, plummeting temperatures and VERY LIMITED ACCESS to such things as safe drinking water, heat, diapers, etc.

According to http://www.china.org/:

The snow, the heaviest in a decade in many places, has been falling in east, central and south China since Jan. 12, causing deaths, structural collapses, power blackouts, highway closures and crop destruction.

Hunan Province and the western Guizhou Province have been the worst hit by the unprecedented spell of severe weather.

From http://chinatravelguide.com/ctgwiki/2008_China_Snowstorm
According to Zou Ming, deputy director of the Ministry of Civil Affairs, some 223,000 houses collapsed under snow and ice, 1.8 million people were evacuated to shelters, and 18 million acres of crops were destroyed.
Some remote areas in Guizhou (贵州) are starting to run out of food, water, and medical supplies.

Worst yet to come
The snow has destroyed large areas of crops, toppled power lines and disrupted trains and trucking lines in Central (华中), Southern (华南) and East China (华东). On Feb. 2, China warns that "The most difficult period is still not over yet. The situation remains grim," quoting to the cabinet's summary of an emergency meeting to coordinate relief efforts. Weather forecast predicts that more snow, sleet, and heavy wind will hit central and eastern provinces soon.

Our little boy is in 30 degree weather, with intermittant power and limited access to what he needs to be healthy.

We are very concerned about him and

have no way to find out how he is doing.

Please, please, please keep Addison and all the children (and their nannies and foster parents who are caring for them) in your prayers.

And if you can spare a few dollars, please consider donating to the emergency fund run by Half the Sky foundation. Read more information below:

A note from Jenny Bowen, founder of Half the Sky:

Latest reports tell us that this weather is likely to continue for another 10 days. Because local governments are overwhelmed by the situation, it seems that there is, in many places, no relief beyond what we can provide. We have not been able to find news of any international relief organizations working on the ground although the China Red Cross is apparently providing some meals to stranded motorists.

Guiyang, Guizhou – UPDATE: Power is intermittant. They repeat the request for diapers and now understand that HTS has okayed the purchase.

As it is impossible to get new supplies of goods to the markets, costs of basic necessities are doubling, even tripling in some cases. We are now working with the Ministry of Civil Affairs (which has the responsibility of dealing with natural disasters nation-wide) to determine which institutions outside the HTS community need our help as well. We will continue funding the costs of basic goods until the money runs out. In answer to some of your questions:

We can’t ship the necessary diapers, blankets, clothing, food ourselves. There is no transport that can get through right now. We will continue working to find a way. In the meantime, we are wiring funds where banks remain open. Where banks are closed, we are guaranteeing reimbursement to any citizen who funds the purchase of needed goods for the children.
In every case, the institutions are calling us to state the needs, we approve, and they know they must provide us receipts for all purchases.

We’ve now placed a special “Little Mouse” button on our home page which will take you right to the fund page. If you are having problems donating online, please try again. I wantto tell you how deeply, deeply moved the orphanage directors, staff and all of us at Half the Sky are by your concern and your generosity.