Recovery projects help Gansu residents rebuild lives

One year after a 6.2-magnitude earthquake devastated Northwest China's Gansu province, survivors like Ma Zhongli are rebuilding their lives despite the lingering trauma.

On Dec 18, 2023, the quake struck at 11:59 pm, collapsing homes and claiming over 150 lives across Gansu and neighboring Qinghai province. Among the victims was Ma's wife, buried beneath the rubble of their tile-roofed house in the Jishishan Bonan, Dongxiang and Salar autonomous county.

"Even now, that night haunts me," said Ma, 68. "But little by little, life is returning to normal. The home I lost in my heart is slowly being rebuilt."

In just five months, Ma moved into a new two-story house equipped with modern amenities like flush toilets and air-source heat pumps. The $27,800 rebuilding cost was offset by a government subsidy of $10,400 and a low-interest loan.

Ma's story reflects a broader effort in Jishishan, where residents are emerging from tragedy to embrace new lives.

Jishishan, home to 280,000 people, bore the brunt of the quake. Over 240,000 residents were directly affected, and more than 230,000 houses were damaged. Yet, within hours of the disaster, authorities began restoring essential services.

Water, power, transportation and communication were back online within 18 hours, and temporary housing was set up in just eight days. By March, the local government had launched over 180 recovery projects, prioritizing housing, education and healthcare.

Rebuilding in the mountainous region, where elevations exceed 4,000 meters, posed significant challenges. Persistent rain and freezing temperatures delayed progress, but with the help of 17,000 workers, the county repaired nearly 29,000 homes and constructed more than 10,000 new ones in just eight months.

Another priority was schools. In 70 days, 209 schools were repaired and 21 new schools were built in five months.

"This reconstruction showcases China's ability to mobilize resources efficiently in times of crisis," said Mao Jinhuang, a professor at Lanzhou University.

For residents like 49-year-old Chai Yongzhong, rebuilding a home was only part of the recovery. The quake destroyed his sheep pen, forcing him to sell most of his flock, which had been his primary livelihood.

The government is focusing on industrial transformation to support recovery, promoting modern agriculture and livestock breeding. Chai received a $4,500 subsidy to build a modern pen and plans to restock his herd gradually.

"We'll take it one step at a time," Chai said. "I'm hopeful for the future."

Elsewhere in the county, initiatives like greenhouses are providing new income sources. In Hejia village, rows of steel-framed greenhouses produce zucchini, cucumbers and melons. Workers earn $14 daily, with opportunities to lease their own greenhouses after gaining experience.

For Ma Zhongli and his family, rebuilding isn't just about bricks and mortar. It's about reclaiming a sense of normalcy.

Ma now lives with his son's family in a house surrounded by blooming hydrangeas and pruned trees ready for spring. Though her mother-in-law's lush garden was lost, Ma's daughter-in-law, Ma Gashe, hopes to create new memories.

"This home will also become a place of beauty and life," she said, holding photos of the old garden on her phone.

As Jishishan's residents continue to rebuild, their resilience is a testament to the community's determination to recover and move forward.

Xinhua