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.

Originally posted on May 25, 2008 @ 1:56 pm