On 3 August 2014 the International Charter: Space and Major Disasters was activated at the request of the National Disaster Reduction Center of China (NDRCC) in response to a 6.1 magnitude earthquake in the Yunnan Province, South of China. The mechanism will provide space-based maps of the affected area.
Due to this earthquake - the strongest that has affected the Yunnan Province in 40 years - around 400 people have died and thousands have been evacuated. 130 cities have been affected. Ludian and Qiajia County's were among the worst affected, and beyond huge damages from the earthquake, roads have been blocked and communications and power severed in some areas, delaying the transit of vital supplies to survivors. Heavy rain falling over the area is also making rescue efforts more difficult, and storms are expected in Ludian County over the next few days.
Satellite-based products and maps created through the mechanism will be published on the International Charter's website as soon as they become available.
