China quake aftermath and aid efforts

by cynthia yoo | May 13, 2008 at 12:55 pm | 370 views | 4 comments | 22 recommendations

Stories, photos and videos streaming in from China show the enormity of the rescue and aid efforts needed for survivors of the earthquake in China.

Troops have arrived in Wenchuan county at the epicentre, which was largely cut off by the quake - but heavy rain is hampering rescue operations.
Elsewhere in Sichuan province, frantic efforts are being made to reach thousands of people under the rubble.

While 12,000 or so deaths have been reported by Chinese authorities, some 18,000 in Mianyang alone, remain buried under rubble. The Sichuan Daily newspaper reported more than 26,000 people were injured in Mianyang.

In the nearby town of Mianzhu, at least 4,800 people are trapped, and massive landslides have buried roads to outlying villages, state news agency Xinhua says.

Sichuan Vice-Governor Li Chengyun said the death toll included: 7,395 in Mianyang, 2,648 in Deyang City, 959 in the provincial capital Chengdu, 700 in Guangyuan City, and 161 in the Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture.

Bad weather has hampered rescue efforts, particularly so in rural and outlying areas. NowPublic Contributor, Ryan Min, gave a first hand account of the earthquake from his city Chengdu and he says that the earthquake had worse consequences in rural areas.

Aftershocks of 4.8 magnitude continued the following day and people are afraid to return to their homes. NowPublic contributors sent in photos of residents camping out in public parks rather than risk being in doors.

Beijing's efforts to send aid to Wenchuan, the epicentre of the earthquake highlight all these and more problems facing rescue efforts.

Beijing has deployed 50,000 troops to help with relief efforts, but many have not yet arrived.

About 1,300 rescue troops and medics have reached Wenchuan county and immediately started searching for survivors and treating the injured, Xinhua reported.

But there is still no word on casualties from the area - where about 100,000 people live.

Boulders and landslides are blocking roads in the worst-hit areas andhelicopters have been unable to land because of the bad weather.

Foreign offers of aid and expressions of sympathy are pouring in. The US, Japan and EU have all offered assistance. NGOs such as OXFAM and the Salvation Army have also contributed.

The Chicago Tribune reports that: "The Chinese government said it would welcome outside aid, and Russiawas sending a plane with rescuers and supplies, the country's Interfaxnews agency reported.

But Wang, the disaster relief official, said international aid workers would not be allowed to travel to the affected area.

"We welcome funds and supplies; we can't accommodate personnel at this point," he said."

IOC is offering aid to China, story here. "Rogge, president of the IOC, wrote a letter to Chinese President HuJintao on hearing media reports about the earthquake and offered theIOC's support."We send our deepest-felt condolences for the victims.The Olympic Movement is at your side, especially during these difficultmoments. Our thoughts are with you,"

A dramatic NPR-radio report is found here. "Melissa Block, one of two NPR correspondents who were in China at thetime the earthquake struck, visited a school Monday where hundreds ofchildren are feared dead. She recounts the scene where dozens offamilies, "heads bowed in unspeakable pain," sat with young, lifelessvictims."

NowPublic Contributors reported the following:

Live Earthquake Report from Chengdu China

China quake death toll near 12,000

China to Shut Mines, Oil Wells, Plants, After Quake

10 000 Dead in China Quake, More Feared

Grim Scenes from Sichuan Earthquake in China

The warming night after earthquake in Chengdu China