A 7.1 earthquake struck Yushu County in Qinghai's Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Region at 7:49 a.m. on April 14. This was followed by an aftershock at 9:25 a.m. which was rated 6.3 on the Richter scale. According to initial estimates, nearly 300 people perished and as many as 8,000 people were injured at 1:00p.m. that day.

One Foundation immediately went into action when it was informed of the disaster. It set up an emergency rescue command center at Xining, and coordinated frontline rescue and logistical support work with the local government and rescue organizations. Rescue teams of One Foundation's alliances in Qinghai, Henan and Beijing were equipped and ready to go, planning to arrive at Yushu on the morning of 15th. The majority of rescue workers are those who had participated in the rescue efforts for Wenchuan Earthquake in 2008. One Foundation has completed preparation of relief materials worth over RMB 2 million. Shipment of the materials to Yushu will commence today. Among the relief materials are cotton clothes and blankets collected by Bright China Foundation; pharmaceutical items donated by  Xi'an Shiqiang Group as well as food and drinking water bought locally.