U.S. Earthquake Assistance to China: Tent Delivery to Chengdu

Press Release

Public Affairs Section
American Embassy, Beijing
Tel: 65321161 Fax: 65322951
Public Affairs Section

May 28, 2008

A charter cargo aircraft landed at Chengdu's Shuangliu Airport in the afternoon of May 28, 2008, carrying 153 large tents donated by the U.S. Defense Logistics Agency to the people of Sichuan Province.

These heavy duty tents measure 36' X 18' and can each sleep 18-20 persons on cots. They are rain- and wind-proof shelters that will provide semi-permanent housing for around 3,000 earthquake victims. The total value of this relief shipment is approximately $900,000 U.S. dollars, including transportation costs.

The tents were shipped from Travis Air Force Base in California. On arrival in Chengdu, they were transferred to the Sichuan Civil Affairs Administration for onward shipment to the earthquake-affected regions of Sichuan Province.

The shipment of tents follows earlier deliveries to Chengdu by three U.S. military C-17 aircraft carrying emergency relief supplies, specialized equipment, and a USAID-funded training team of experts from Los Angeles and Fairfax Counties. This flight brings the value of U.S. government earthquake assistance to $3.985 million, including an initial cash donation of $500,000 provided to the International Federal of the Red Cross in Beijing.