Photo by FEBC

Christian radio is helping quake survivors in China

The U.S. state department says U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice will travel to Chengdu, China this month to visit the Sichuan province that was struck by a massive earthquake in May. Rice will be the highest ranking U.S. official to visit the region. The quake killed more than 70,000 people. As Rice prepares for her visit, Far East Broadcasting Company continues to reach out to the victims. FEBC Chinese Programming has found some innovative ways to offer relief and hope to survivors, reports MNN.

FEBC is committing to distributing 20,000 radios to survivors. Radios are a lifeline to emergency and health information and spiritual encouragement. More than 1,200 have already been given.

Shortly after the disaster, FEBC began airing specially designed programs to help those in need. Programming included a disease prevention and control program hosted by an experienced medical doctor. Another new program, Rekindle Your Heart, a daily 30-minute broadcast, will soon be on the air. The program is designed to deeply encourage and restore listeners, and it includes live interviews with earthquake victims.

Though it's been more than a month since the earthquake hit, some people have yet to receive assistance. When FEBC Chinese Programming staff visited listeners affected by the earthquake, they learned that some churches had not received relief from the government. They're now giving support directly to those churches and partnering with two local medical and relief organizations.

While radio programming is important, FEBC Chinese Programming has created a special CD with content on Post Traumatic Stress and related topics. The CDs are being distributed throughout Sichuan Province.

[06/23/2008]

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