SHANGHAI, Sept. 15 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- Today in Shanghai, Our Part, a joint environmental awareness initiative between United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Chinese actress Zhou Xun, joined forces with International Watch Co. (IWC) in providing necessary support and in facilitating livelihood recovery to the people of Yushu.
IWC, a high-end Swiss watch manufacturer, held a silent auction which attracted prominent guests ranging from celebrities to high-profile media members. The event featured two internationally known UNDP Goodwill Ambassadors, Zhou Xun and Zidane. Raising approximately 600,000 RMB ($87,980 US), IWC generously donated the proceeds to Our Part's campaign in support of the UNDP Yushu Earthquake Emergency Management Support Project.
The company's commitment to Yushu comes at a critical juncture. Faced with a long and arduous winter ahead, funding will be used to provide Yushu community members with essential heat and fire prevention facilities.
"Disaster affected communities continue along the challenging path towards recovery long after the spotlight and media attention fade. Through Our Part, I hope to inspire others to help provide the people of Yushu with long-term support in rebuilding a better and greener life," said Zhou Xun. National Goodwill Ambassador Zhou, who recently donated her Champion of the Earth award winnings ($19,975 US) to UNDP's Yushu project in late July, announced her second personal donation of RMB 200,000 during the event.
Monies raised will support livelihood restoration efforts in Yushu. Reconstruction will bring enormous change to the area, where the headstreams of three major rivers (Yangzi River, Yellow River and Lancang River) meet. UNDP, with the support of dedicated partners such as IWC, will focus on providing value-added recovery assistance in mainstreaming community-based disaster risk management while also strengthening environmentally friendly livelihood recovery and ecotourism development.
"We appreciate IWC and Zhou Xun for their ongoing support of disaster-stricken Yushu communities. UNDP continually strives to better assist the people of Yushu in building back better and greener," said Silvia Morimoto, UNDP China Deputy Country Director.
To learn more about UNDP's work in Yushu and the Our Part campaign, please visit www.undp.org.cn.
