China's post-quake challenge: 5 million homeless

by Sanjay Jha | May 20, 2008 at 07:58 pm

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The Chinese government made a fervent appeal yesterday for tents after 5 million people are reported to have loss their home. Govt also brought in the first foreign teams of doctors and field hospitals, some of whom were swapping out with overseas search and rescue specialists.

China is grappling with the next massive task in the aftermath of its earthquake — how to shelter the 5 million people left homeless.
Many were living Tuesday in tent cities like one at the base of Qianfo mountain in the disaster zone, offering some stability — along with food and medical care — to those whose lives were upended.
"After the quake, we couldn't sleep for five days. We were really, really afraid," said Chen Shigui, a weathered 55-year-old farmer who climbed for two days with his wife and injured father to reach the camp from their mountain village. "I felt relieved when we got here. It's much safer compared to my home."
But there's not enough room to go around.