Dear Friends,

The following report was delivered to my by the Government of Xiao Surmang Township. Xiao Surmang (Dutsi Til) Township includes the monastery of Dutsi Til. The village in this report, Modi, lies about 5 km south of the monastery. Friends of Surmang will be mounting a relief effort this summer to feed the hungry in Yushu County and to replenish lost livestock. I urge all those who can, to aid us in this effort, be it financially, or with your expertise.

Please email Surmang Foundation at --surgate@iuol.cn.net or phone or fax at --8610 849 9306. Remember we are 12 hours ahead of New York.

Thank you,

Lee Weingrad

REPORT ON THE SNOWSTORM IN MODI VILLAGE, XIAO SURMANG TOWNSHIP, YUSHU COUNTY

Dear Mr. Wang Li (Lee Weingrad):

Modi Village was severely affected by snowstorm in Xiao Surmang Township. The whole village has 128 families with a total population of 589. Working labor: 159, 11 families are on State support. The total cattle including sheep and yak, 7721 head. It has been snowing heavily and continuously from mid November 1995 until January 24, 1996. During this storm, exteme blizzard conditions have existed on 15 occasions from Jan.10th through the 24th. The depth of snow is one meter. All the grasslands are covered in snow. Livestock have been unable to find grass to eat. The result was great damage to agricultural and nomadic production.

The blizzard has caused the death of 4798 heads of livestock, or 62% of their entire herds. If it snows again, all the cattle may die. Because this time the snows are long in duration and deep, all together 65 people suffered frostbite and 20 26 people got snowblindness. So far, 32 families have lost all their livestock. 18 families have no food. 48 families have very little yak and sheep left.

Xiao Surmang Township Government, Yushu County

Yushu Prefecture, Qinghai Province

Feb 29, 1996