Earthquake relief on 'roof of world' highlights China's speed, compassion

LHASA -- On the morning of Jan 7, just 10 minutes after a 6.8-magnitude earthquake struck Dingri county in Xizang autonomous region, Southwest China, drones were already surveying the site of the epicenter.

Less than 30 minutes after the disaster, the boots of the first rescue and relief teams had hit the ground running in the hardest-hit areas.

By dusk that day, displaced residents had hot meals and sheltered in tents.

Within a week, 224 relocation sites had become temporary sanctuaries for 47,500 people, providing access to makeshift clinics, libraries, and counseling services.

The rapid and considerate emergency response to the tragic natural disaster that occurred in the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau, often referred to as the "roof of the world," is down to decisions made by China's top leadership to mobilize all resources.

"We will seize the 'golden rescue' time. There will be more hope of life, as we race against time to rescue and scour as many areas as possible," said Tsewang Palden, an officer with the Lhasa fire brigade who led firefighting teams on nighttime search missions.

More than 15,000 rescuers, among them firefighters, soldiers, police officers and professional rescuers, have been deployed to the earthquake-ravaged areas.

Medical teams followed closely behind.

In Chamco township in Dingri, a badly hit area, 56-year-old villager Tashi sustained a head injury from a falling rock. Fortunately, he did not have to wait long for treatment.

"Thanks to clinics set up at the relocation site, I was seen the same day, which meant I could focus my time and energy on taking care of my parents and children," said Tashi.

The disaster claimed the lives of 126 people. As of 9 am on Jan 9, 337 injured had been treated, among whom, 246 had already been discharged from the hospital. Beyond physical wounds, mental health has also been prioritized.

Tan Xiren, one of the members of the emergency mental health relief team from the Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, came to Dingri on the night of Jan 9 to provide mental health services for rescuers and children.

"We knew that the people were in urgent need of help. So we provide targeted counseling," she said. For children, such measures include activities such as singing, drawing and dancing.

The focus of rescue efforts has now shifted to the relocation of the displaced and post-disaster reconstruction.

Tsering Pingtso, Party chief of Gurum village in Dingri said many concerns he had about members of his community had abated, as all 107 residents were relocated from tents to makeshift houses three days after the earthquake. The village has even reconnected to the Wi-Fi network, a development welcomed by the children, who asked if they could watch a movie.

"Now, four to five people share an 18-square-meter board house with electricity, folding beds, tables and stoves. The villagers will be comfortable despite the winter cold," said the village official, adding that tents previously used for people's accommodation are now used for storing essential supplies and food.

By Sunday, over 1,000 such makeshift houses had been installed at various relocation sites in Dingri, in an effort to ensure a safe and warm winter for all.