About Us « Sichuan Quake Relief

About Us

Sichuan Quake Relief (SQR) is a non-profit, humanitarian organisation dedicated to improving the lives of those affected by the 12 May 2008 Sichuan earthquake.

Objectives

To help incubate grassroot organisations that are playing a role in the rebuilding of stricken communities.
To act as an information and logistics hub for recovery and reconstruction efforts.
To develop community recovery projects to support the poorest of the poor still badly affected by repercussions of the earthquake.
To act as a platform for the development of a vibrant civil society.

Current focus of SQR

After two years as a relief-provider, information hub and liaison point for other international organisations, we are now in the mid-term phase of the recovery process, and SQR aims to focus on the sustainable and effective operation of our new community centre near Guangji Town in Mianzhu.

The community centre offers I.T. resources, an NGO library, and an events space. The centre will be used in two main ways:

As an incubation hub for grassroots organisations working in the wider Guangji area. As well as being available for them to use for their own planned activities, SQR will be playing an active role in helping these groups to develop in capacity and effectiveness.
As a space in which to conduct training and information sessions for the villagers and communities in the surrounding area.

SQR will be forging links with local grassroots organisations and community leaders to assess their needs and develop training programmes designed to build their capacity.

SQR work in the past

Relief. Founded the morning after the disaster struck, SQR immediately began coordinating emergency relief aid to the affected area. In the first 6 to 8 months, SQR funnelled cash, services and material donations in excess of 15 million RMB to towns and villages in the quake zone – mainly tents, food, water, medical, hygiene and camping supplies, as well as several small-scale water and sanitation projects. SQR’s Winter Relief Project supplied warm bedding, clothing and camping gear worth more than 2 million RMB to more than 6,000 villagers.

Information Hub. Acting as a logistics and information hub, SQR connected with other NGOs, donors and volunteers, as well as keeping media and wider communities updated on the latest situation. Recognising the repercussions for survivors and those who had suffered loss or injury, we linked dozens of international and local psychological experts with stricken communities.

Youth Support. In summer 2008 SQR sent over 70 foreign and local teachers to coordinate and run Summer Camps in six temporary villages, delivering basic school equipment and educational supplies to more than 30 schools. This project was expanded in the summer of 2009 to become the Sports, Art, Music and English (SAME) Camps in 13 affected villages. More than 260 local and foreign volunteers taught about 4,000 children in the SAME Camps over a 7-week period.

Di Kang Le Kindergarten and Community Centre. As the need for relief aid became less pressing, SQR began to look towards the long-term recovery and future development of the affected region. The badly-damaged Di Kang Le Kindergarten serving five villages in rural Guangji, Mianzhu County, was identified as in need of rebuilding. SQR entered into an agreement with the principal to not only rebuild the kindergarten, but vastly improve the community facilities in the area with a new community centre. The construction phase is complete and the community centre available for use by local community groups.

Legal profile of SQR

SQR is a legal charity registered in both the United Kingdom and Hong Kong (Section 88 status).

Hong Kong charity status and Mainland operation

Sichuan Quake Relief operates under the auspices of “Sichuan Development Foundation Limited”, which is a nonprofit organisation registered in Hong Kong, granted tax-exemption under Section 88 of the Inland Revenue Ordinance (IR File No. 91/10304). The Mainland operation is a registered Representative’s Office of the Hong Kong entity.

UK charity status

“Sichuan Development Foundation” is accepted as a charity by HM Revenue & Customs, reference XT17266.

How does SQR survive?

SQR has minimal administration costs and relies on direct donations of funds, goods and services, project funding, and revenue from events and merchandise. SQR can help companies link up Corporate Social Responsibility donations, or any other donors, directly with project beneficiaries.

Fundraising Initiatives

SQR merchandise — to raise money for SQR, spread the word, and look good, all at the same time.
Afterquake CD – in aid of SQR. Release date: 12th May 2009, the first anniversary of the earthquake

Who we are (contact info)

Full-time Staff	Board of Directors
David Hunt, Director	Peter Goff, Chair
Sabrina Zou, Intern (translation, interpretation and administration)	Mark Allen, Vice-Chair Communications
Jia Yongheng, Di Kang Le Community Centre Manager	Catherine Platt, Vice-Chair Organisational Development
	Richard Brett, Vice-Chair Financial Management
	Lily Jiang, Vice-Chair Government Relations