A Catholic charity has mobilized a full scale relief effort as further mudslides claim lives in both northwest and southwest China.

In the northwest, Jinde Charities has delivered its first batch of emergency supplies to 400 families in Zhouqu county, which was engulfed by a mudslide on Aug. 8 that killed  1,364 people.

“Our staff are geared up now and getting the relief supplies in,” said Father John Ren Dahai, vice director of Jinde. “Quilts and cots are the most needed items.”

The workers have managed to get 900 cots and 1,000 quilts into the affected areas, but the continuing downpours are hampering their efforts.

“The closer our frontline people get to Zhouqu, the worse the roads are,” said Father Dahai. “Some roads are too damaged for the trucks to pass through.”

Meanwhile, in the southwest Yunnan province, four people have been counted dead with 88 missing after a mudslide at the Yujin iron mine in Gongshan county.

Seven Catholics are among those missing, including a five-month-old baby.

Related reports
Catholics mourn on Assumption Day
‘Matteo Ricci volunteers’ fan out across China
Disaster strengthens Chinese Catholics’ faith

CH10899.1615