Dave
Which part of China is suffering from floods? I must have missed it out from the BBC news.
Frank
-----Original Message-----
From: Universities Transport Study Group [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Dave Wetzel
Sent: 20 July 2008 03:08
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [UTSG] China Earthquakes
I have just returned to Beijing from Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan
Province, China where I have been on a field trip with the China planning
Network (CPN) to see the disastrous effects of the May 12th earthquake in
the surrounding towns and villages. The destruction is horrific. I saw a
complete hospital that was demolished in minutes with only 30 survivors. A
school was totally destroyed. Local people have been mobilised to help
themselves. The Red army sent 40,000 troops and the local governmenbt had to
house and feed them. The army brought medical personnel, engineers, tents
and emergency equipment. China has welcomed assistance from other
Governments and international agencies - which augers well for future
relations and steps for world peace.
Only 2 months later it is amazing to see the local economy picking up with
people using gazeebos and hotel bar umbrellas as shelter while they sell
goods and services on the street outside shops they are unable to enter.
most people are now accomodated in tents or shelters built from rubble etc.
New prefabricated homes are being erected and they expect people will live
in them for up to 3 years before new proper replacement homes are built. Not
all buildings were destroyed because of the natural way that the earthquake
moved accoss the area in waves so with similar adjacent buildings one would
be destroyed or badly damaged and the other would escape any damage except
maybe for a few cracks. They have still not been able to assess the damage
to all the buildings despite almost every region in China sending civil
Engineers to help. The medical services include psychological help as well
as addressing physical injuries.
The government has moved fast to provide loans etc. and is offering limited
compensation to help meet the cost for individuals to build new homes.
Despite all this - they are preparing a reconstruction plan to be published
in August which includes new transport and leisure activities!
Now the China TV shows another part of China is coping with floods!
Best Wishes,
Dave
Dave Wetzel – Consultant
"Transforming Communities"
Sustainable Transport Policies ▪ Public Finance with Social Inclusion ▪
Affordable Housing ▪ Economic Land Policies with Justice
Tel: 0208 568 9004
Intl:+44 208 568 9004
Mobile/Cellphone: 07715 32 29 26
Intl: +44 7715 32 29 26
e-mail: [log in to unmask]
40 Adelaide Terrace. Great West Road.
Brentford. LONDON. TW8 9PQ. UK
Web: www.LabourLand.org
|