Post-disaster relief work continues after SW China landslide

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By CGTN’s Yang Jinghao

Days after the landslides in Maoxian County in southwest China’s Sichuan Province, scores are still missing, while hope of finding them is diminishing. Not far from the site, post-disaster relief work continues.

More than 130 villagers, including the families of those missing and some from the neighboring village, are staying in the Diexi Township Primary School, which is being used as the temporary shelter.

Pictures showing before and after scenes of the area hit by the landslide on June 24, 2017. / VCG Photo

The school has just some 40 students. Surrounded by big mountains, it is about 10 kilometers from the site of the landslide, and debris can be clearly seen from this location.

Chen Qianliu, deputy chief of the Diexi Township government, told CGTN that the school was the nearest safe place that could house so many people in such a short time.

“We've tried to put them in a reasonably good place so they don't have to live in tents or makeshift houses,” Chen said.

Inside of the Diexi Township Primary School in Maoxian County where more than 130 relocated people are sheltered. /CGTN Photo

Daily necessities including food, drinking water and beds are secured. Basic medical service is also being provided.

Though in deep sorrow and desperation, they are still waiting for the news of their loved ones.

Relocated villagers live in the students’ dormitories. /CGTN Photo

“I brought my relatives that could be reached here when it was set up. We're getting a lot of help here from both government and volunteers and I'm grateful for that,” said Tang Zhongze, a villager in his 50s.

Four of Tang’s family members are among the missing, including his elderly parents, younger brother and sister-in-law.

he said he was most concerned about his young nephews, and he hoped that the government could provide long-term help for the villagers, especially the elderly and children.

A villager receives basic medical treatment at the temporary shelter. /CGTN Photo

With people's basic needs met, there's now a need for psychological relief, which can take a long time. A five-member team, led by the Sichuan Women and Children’s Development Foundation (WCDF), has taken the responsibility at the emergency shelter.

“We hope we can help them, especially children and women, by accompanying them as their sisters or aunts, but not as psychological professionals,” Wang Jieqiong, secretary-general of Sichuan WCDF, told CGTN.

Psychological consultation center at the temporary shelter. /CGTN Photo

The volunteers, all with psychological knowledge and experience of post-disaster relief work, will first assess the villagers’ mental state to see if there is a likelihood of psychological crisis among them.

Wang said they wished to work out a 10-year assistance plan for some, both financially and psychologically, as “a short period of help for one week, three months and even three years is not enough at all.”

Provincial government officials said at a press conference on Monday they were working on a long-term settlement plan for the villagers.

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