Some 14 Chinese organizations in Atlanta have united to raise funds for victims of the recent earthquake in China that has killed more than 40,000 people, left 5 million homeless and has caused up to $20 billion in damages.

The 7.9 magnitude earthquake, which struck Sichuan province on May 12, is the worst to hit China in 32 years. The quake hit northwest of Chengdu, the province’s capital, and many towns remain cut off from rescue workers in a region that is one of the country’s most populous. At least tens of thousands are homeless, and thousands more remain buried under rubble.

To contribute to relief efforts, Atlanta organizations have formed the Atlanta China Earthquake Fund Drive Committee. They are holding on-site donation drives at Zoo Atlanta, China Town and various supermarkets and Chinese schools in the Atlanta area through May 25. As of May 19, they had raised more than $100,000.

The committee includes the Association of Chinese Professionals, Atlanta Chinese Writing Association, Atlanta Contemporary Chinese Academy, Atlanta Hunan Association, Atlanta Sichuan-Chongqing Association, Atlanta Sun Yat-Sen University Alumni Association, Chinese Business Association of Atlanta, DongBeiRen Association, Hubei Fellows Association, Morning Star Chinese School, National Association of Chinese Americans, Shandong Chinese Association, Shandong University Alumni Association and Zhejiang Association.

The earthquake is of particular concern locally because of Atlanta’s ties to Sichuan, said Frank Zhou, president of the Chinese Business Association of Atlanta. The province’s capital, Chengdu, is a candidate to be one of Atlanta’s Sister Cities, and Zoo Atlanta’s pandas hail from the region, he noted.

Since 1997, the Atlanta zoo has been working with Chengdu to promote giant panda breeding, and in 1999, two giant pandas, Lun Lun and Yang Yang, were loaned to Atlanta for 10 years.

The epicenter of the recent earthquake struck Wolong Nature Reserve in Wenchuan County, which is the pandas’ “hometown,” Mr. Zhou told GlobalAtlanta. Two pandas from the reserve are still missing after the quake killed of its five staff members and damaged all 32 panda houses.

Just last year, a 38-person delegation came to Atlanta from Chengdu for a panda festival and business forum. Chengdu companies were looking to Georgia for partnerships in computer, high-tech, manufacturing and tourism industries.

Chengdu, with a population of some 12 million, is China’s fifth most populous city and a transportation hub in western China. The area is a rising center for pharmaceutical research and development in the country. U.S. technology companies such as Intel Corp., Microsoft Corp. and Motorola Inc. have operating manufacturing facilities there.

The Atlanta earthquake relief committee is accepting donations designated for “China Earthquake Relief Fund,” payable to the Chinese Business Association of Atlanta at 2160-F Hills Ave. N.W., Atlanta, Ga., 30318.

The National Association of Chinese Americans was also starting a fund drive for earthquake victims when it was asked to join the group effort with other Atlanta Chinese organizations, said Lani Wong, NACA’s chairperson.

NACA is transforming its May 24 annual meeting into a fundraising event at Sydney’s Buffet in Duluth on Saturday, May 24, at 11 a.m. NACA will provide lunch, and members and guests are expected to donate to a relief fund.

“This will be a continued relief effort. The longer plan is to help the rebuilding of the area,” Ms. Wong told GlobalAtlanta. “We just have to raise as much money as quickly as possible,” she said.

NACA plans to donate its own organizational funds, plus match all donations received from its members, she added.

Those who cannot attend the luncheon may send a check for "China Earthquake Relief Donation” payable to the National Association of Chinese-Americans to 5483 Redbark Way, Atlanta, Ga., 30338. Donations may also be sent to NACA-China Earthquake Relief Funds, Account # 0150001519, at Century Security Bank, 5955 State Bridge Road, Suite 100, Duluth, Ga., 30097.