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Help Victims of Sichuan Quake

An earthquake measuring 7.8 on the Richter scale hit the Sichuan province on 12 May, causing widespread damage and tremendous loss of lives. It was the most devastating tremor hitting China in the past three decades. The official death toll has risen to close to 20,000. As houses in the worst-hit areas have been reduced to rubble, many victims were left homeless in deprivation of food, water and medicine. As you are reading this e-mail, the lives of many men, women and children in the affected areas hang by a thread.

To the victims of great calamity, the CUHK community has always been united in its deep sympathy and fast actions. Besides expressing our sympathy to the survivors and hoping that the missing will be found soon, we must lend a helping hand to those in dire distress.

As resources of our country are mobilized in a race against time to save lives, I call upon all of you to act now and bring relief to the thousands suffering from this natural disaster.

Please make your donations through our earthquake relief fund account: 293-005005-022 at Hang Seng Bank on or before 28 May. * The total amount raised will be forwarded to the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in Hong Kong for relief purposes.

Finally, the University has got in touch with each of the more than 70 mainland undergraduate students from Sichuan and Chongqing found them all safe. We are in the process of confirming the safety of some other postgraduate students from Sichuan. We are also working with the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in Hong Kong, the Immigration Department and the family concerned to locate a missing mainland student who has travelled to the area. The University will keep a close eye on the situation and offer assistance when needed.

Lawrence J. Lau
President and Vice-Chancellor