China Earthquake Update

04/28/10

Two weeks after the devastating earthquake in Yushu, China, IDEAS Associate Bonnie Holland reports on the latest news coming from the region.

For Immediate Release

By Bonnie Holland, IDEAS Associate in Yushu, China

April 28, 2010 - Yushu, China: Two weeks ago today, a 6.9 magnitude (China measured 7.1) devastated Yushu. The 'official' death tole is 2,220 people, 12,000+ injured, and 85 missing. More than 3,000 people have been pulled out of the rubble alive! Many of our local friends survived the earthquake, but sadly, some did not. One report was that over 300 children were orphaned during the earthquake, though there has not been an official number yet.

Plateau Perspectives, the NGO I am assisting with relief efforts, was contacted by the prefecture health bureau within hours of the earthquake to set up and run a medical camp. Several medical teams and support personnel were able to go up to Yushu. They saw 150 - 200 patients a day for ten days. Then, all medical relief camps were asked to bring their operations to a close, as the provision of medical care for residents of Yushu was to be transitioned over to the government’s field hospitals, under the coordination of a representative from the national health bureau.

Much more will need to be done in the future, so we now are simply transitioning into a next phase of work — including such matters as water purification, distribution of relief supplies, and other support for local partners (including both government bureaus and specific communities) that have been significantly affected by the earthquake.

Already, two water purification systems have been installed in one of the largest displaced person camps on the outskirts of Yushu, each with a proven capacity to provide potable water for over 2,500 people; and a request has been made for 30 water purification units in total, to be set up at 19 different locations throughout the town.

Further afield, even remote counties, townships and villages in Yushu prefecture are affected by the earthquake, due to the breakdown in the normal medical referral system. Therefore, many herding communities that we have worked with in the past — some for more than a decade — also are likely to require additional support in the months ahead. A more detailed needs assessment, including health and other areas of social service, will soon be carried out.

If you would like to give to the relief efforts in Yushu, China, please click here.