Tibet Update

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The Tibet Update eNewsletter is a bimonthly summary of news and governmental actions related to Tibet. Past issues in PDF format are located at http://www.savetibet.org/media-center/tibet-weekly-updates/.

Please see the bottom of this email to find out more about supporting ICT's earthquake relief efforts.

INSIDE TIBET:

ICT Report: Petition to Hu and Wen calls for Dalai Lama to visit Tibetan quake area: hundreds of monks join relief efforts

A petition addressed to China's President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao was received by the Chinese-language website boxun.com on April 16, appealing for the Dalai Lama to be allowed to visit Tibet "to offer salvation for our dead and prayers for the victims". Read the complete ICT report . . .

ICT Report: Hundreds killed in Kyikundo, Eastern Tibet; emergency appeals launched

Reprinted from last week's Tibet Update email - Hundreds have been killed in the Tibetan area of Yushu, Kham (Tibetan: Kyigundo, also known as Jyekundo) in present-day Qinghai, when a series of strong earthquakes measured at magnitude 6.9 hit the region on April 14. The epicenter of the earthquakes was a sparsely populated, rural area about 50 km west of Jyeku (Chinese: Jiegu or Gyegu) town, the government seat of Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, which is about 800 km south-west of Xining, the provincial capital of Qinghai. Read the complete ICT report . . .

IN THE PRESS:

Aid-giving monks told to leave China earthquake zone by Tania Branigan, Guardian

Questions Over Quake Toll in Tibet by Willy Lam, Asia Sentinel

Quake sees Tibetan Buddhist monks assert roles by Chris Buckley, Reuters

To die with dignity in your own land: Tibet, China and the politics of disaster by Josh Schrei, Huffington Post (a must read)

China declares national day of mourning by Malcolm Moore, Telegraph

Quake survivors see hope in Dalai Lama visit request by Robert Saiget, AFP

Bejing should ask Dalai Lama to help victims by Wang Xiangwei, SCMP

THE DALAI LAMA:

His Holiness the Dalai Lama eager to visit earthquake areas

In a statement released on April 17, the Dalai Lama said, he is eager to visit the earthquake area, "To fulfill the wishes of many of the people there, I am eager to go there myself to offer them comfort." Read the complete statement . . .

U.S. GOVERNMENT:

Statements on earthquake in Tibetan area of Qinghai Province in China

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senator John Kerry, Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations committee released statements in response to the series of earthquakes that struck Tibetan areas in Qinghai Province in China.

From the ICT Blog:

Crisis in Yushu an Opportunity to Heal the Larger Wound - April 22,2010

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Your help is needed . . .

Officials reported on April 20 that the Yushu death toll had risen to 2,064, with more than 12,000 injured and 175 still missing. Approximately 1,000 bodies were cremated by monks in Yushu on Saturday, April 17. It was also reported that snow and hail fell in the area this week, further hampering relief and rescue efforts.

Despite an international response, the need is still great and growing. ICT will continue to support this effort for the long term, helping as we can to fund and also direct other aid sources for immediate relief efforts and for what is likely to be a protracted period of rebuilding. If you can, please consider making a tax-deductible contribution today to help. Click here for more information on how to donate by mail or online. Thank you.