Over the past weekend, teams of Plan China staff and student volunteers worked together to sort the initial relief items, pack them and load the trucks before their onward journey from Xi’an City. Plan's response is working closely with the Qinghai Working Committee on Children and Women, who will support the distribution of Plan relief items in disaster-stricken areas.The supplies of food, clothes, blankets and other daily necessities, also include special ‘girls kits’ to provide for the sanitary and hygiene needs of girls and young women. These supplies have been distributed to 21 villages and communities, covering the whole disaster area in Yu Shu.

Mark Leighton, country director of Plan China, said: "Children are always the most vulnerable in the aftermath of major disasters such as this terrible earthquake.  By cooperating with the Qinghai Working Committee on Children and Women we are able to direct our assistance in a targeted way at especially vulnerable children, young people and women during these critical first few days after the earthquake on 14 April.”

In 2008 Plan China provided 100 tons of rice, 10 tons of edible oil and 2,900 quilts to the people of Xiao Ba township in Sichuan province. Subsequently during the recovery phase Plan China provided more than USD 2.6 million in rehabilitation and reconstruction across a range of relief projects in Sichuan and Shaanxi provinces. This support included school construction, child rights and child protection support, water and sanitation provision and psycho-social rehabilitation.”