The Chinese government has almost given up hope of finding any more survivors under the rubbles a couple of weeks after the devastating earthquake hit the country. “We are moving into reconstruction and rehabilitation” one Chinese official says, but the danger is far from over. Since the initial tremor several powerful aftershocks have ravaged the areas damaging more structures and unnerving more of the already traumatized residents. The government has announced that the hardest hit areas may not be rebuilt due to such massive destruction on infrastructure. Most buildings were leveled (sadly mostly schools) which claimed most lives along with landslides and other damaged structures.
The country is receiving aid from all over the world but danger form blocked waterways that were plugged when millions of tons of rock and earth fell from mountains is growing. Recent rains have prompted several low lying areas to be evacuated due to fears of massive flooding as heavy rains come. The military has stepped up efforts in dislodging the blockaded streams and rivers, sometimes even using dynamite to clear debris to allow them to drain. Once enough water has drained, they would resort to heavy machinery to remove and restore the previous size of these waterways to ensure that flooding is controlled.
The many charitable institutions in China fear most are the many bodies still left under the rubble that used to be homes and schools which have the potential of causing disease and other health risks. Indeed some cases of waterborne and insect borne diseases have been reported but the Chinese say they have it all under control. The most urgent need is for temporary shelter for as the rains come and eventually winter, shelter is the most important need. Questions from furious parents are arising and they say they will continue to pursue answers to questions as to why schools were the ones most damaged by the quake and often times the only ones that completely collapsed with surrounding buildings only suffering minor damages. The world has taken the call and is sending all they can to the affected areas. Recovery operations are underway but with so much destruction, not all of the missing would surely be found. For any donations please contact the International Committee of the Red Cross or the Red Crescent so you get to help the suffering people of China as they try to get back on the road do recovery.
Categories: Analysis, Environmental, News | Tags: China Earthquake, China's Recovery, Sichuan
The death toll has reached 32,000 lives but this number is expected to go into the 50,000 mark for many are still missing in the collapsed rubble that used to be schools and buildings that have been found to have been made not to earthquake standards set by the government. The Chinese government has promised to look into the matters but they insist that the main priority today a week after the killer quake was still saving lives.
Rescue workers move from area to area searching through the rubble with family members wailing in the distance crying for their lost loved ones. As they fail to find anyone to rescue, they move on to the next location much to the discontent of the helpless parents and family members who continue to dig as they try to find the bodies of their loved ones whom they know are still deep in the ruins. Amidst warnings from the UN’s Health experts have had the government mobilize disinfection teams to the many affected areas to spray disinfectants all around the temporary housing areas due to fears of disease outbreaks. They have also advised the government to begin burying the dead for they are continuing to pile up in temporary morgues where they pose a serious health risk.
The government acted swiftly and the international community has taken the call for help but little can be done for the rescue efforts for the extreme length of time and aftershocks have further settled the already mangled buildings. The rescue effort is in the final stages and soon would be turned into a recovery operation to remove dead bodies for proper disposal which if left alone creates the perfect conditions for disease. The death toll is rising slowly as more and more bodies are being pulled. Last Saturday, 165 people were rescued alive including an elderly woman who raised the hopes of rescuers and citizens alike. But time is against any other survivor for the human body can only survive a few days without water and adding injuries to the mix, chances of survival are continuing to fade. The government has announced that the torch relay has been suspended for now and that an official three day mourning holiday is in effect to allow people to mourn for their lost loved ones.
Categories: Charities, Children, Disaster Relief, Environmental, News | Tags: Collapsed Buildings, Sichuan Earthquake
Many have died and there are still a lot of people missing in the deadly earthquake that struck on the 12th of May. The government has sent in their elite paratroopers into the most inaccessible areas that are still cut off from the rescue efforts in hopes of getting a better picture of the total devastation. The Chinese government has already asked for help with regards to rescue equipment and supplies, most of which have already been fielded in the many affected areas. With thousands of soldiers working frantically to free survivors still trapped beneath the many collapsed structures, questions are arising from these areas where some of the most heavily damaged structures are schools and government buildings. Days after the quake, rescuers are getting desperate for the first two days are the most critical and important to get people out. After that amount of time, only bodies would be found but soldiers and other rescuers are keeping hopes up as they work as fast as they can to get to people still trapped in the rubble. The country is beginning to receive aid from Western countries who early on have expressed their intent to help the Chinese government. With resources stretched to the limits, the aid is quickly being fielded to areas that need it most. For more information on how you can help the victims of the Chinese earthquakes you can contact the UN, and other aid agencies who have been working hard to send aid to the many who have suffered as a result of one of the most deadly quakes of recent times.
Categories: Children, Disaster Relief, Environmental | Tags: Collapsed Buildings, Sichuan Earthquake
Many have died in the earthquake that hit the Chengdu region of China that has resulted in rural villages getting almost totally wiped out. Several schools have collapsed and children are the ones who suffered most of the brunt of this, one of the deadliest earthquakes in the recent history of China. Sadly, a few months away from them hosting the 2008 Olympics, many have died and people have criticized the government for continuing revelry about the event whilst thousands are dead with thousands still missing. Many buildings collapsed and people were buried alive and some crushed to their deaths. The booming Chinese economy shattered by the quake forcing them to send the largest military and emergency reaction force into action. Some areas were so severely affected that even the government has had little contact with regions. Cellular networks were cut off and electricity and water supplies cut off. The government has reacted swiftly to the disaster but say they can manage the disaster for now. With the tremors felt as far away as Beijing, people were alarmed and rushed to the streets due to fears of building collapses. None have suffered any in the capital and all the major Olympic venues are structurally sound.
Categories: Disaster Relief, News | Tags: Collapsed Buildings, Sichuan Earthquake
Many feel frustrated at news that the government is still refusing some of the best agencies and their staff to enter the country to do proper relief work on behalf of the suffering people of Myanmar. Citizens in the capital have been trying to take supplies they can get to areas that need it but even they say that they can only do so much. Donations are flooding in from all over the world but aid agencies are raising a warning for those who want to donate cash through online charities. There is very little in terms of funds and materials that are getting into the country that many criminals may jump onto the donation bandwagon to get an easy buck. Try to donate only with legitimate aid agencies like the UN and other widely accepted charities. As we have said, it is better to send money to those who could put it to good use in helping the people of Myanmar and not into the pockets of these lowly criminals.
Channel donations in terms of cash and materials through the Charity Navigator which has a list of the most reputable agencies. Also, when helping by donating, indicate if you’d want the cash to be spent totally in relief efforts to a specific location or for general use. If a donation has no specifics, the aid agency has the ability to keep it in funds that accumulate and are used in case of disasters, or they can be poured directly into the country or specific area you want to help.
We simply cannot fathom the greed of such people who for a small amount of money deprive those in need who are dying and suffering in those far away, ands without food and water. May you get the heart to return or at least send the money to the rightful people who can make an impact and help people and remember that you might yourself need help from people who are generous and don’t have second thoughts when people and lives are at stake.
Categories: Disaster Relief, Fundraising, News | Tags: aid, donations, Fraud, Online Fraud, Relief
The Chinese government has almost given up hope of finding any more survivors under the rubbles a couple of weeks after the devastating earthquake hit the country. “We are moving into reconstruction and rehabilitation” one Chinese official says, but the danger is far from over. Since the initial tremor several powerful aftershocks have ravaged the areas damaging more structures and unnerving more of the already traumatized residents. The government has announced that the hardest hit areas may not be rebuilt due to such massive destruction on infrastructure. Most buildings were leveled (sadly mostly schools) which claimed most lives along with landslides and other damaged structures.
