VOANews.com

 
Live Streams:  Latest Newscast |  Africa Live |  Global Live
News in 45 Languages
China Rushing Supplies to Quake-Hit Zone


11 July 2009

Devastated city, rubble
A quake devastated city in China
China is rushing to get emergency supplies to victims of a powerful earthquake that flattened thousands of homes in the southwestern part of the country.  Some residents are already giving up dreams of trying to rebuild.

Pigs root through what is left of a home in China's Yunnan province.  The owner, a 56-year-old farmer, stares at the destruction from Thursday's magnitude 6.0 earthquake. "I do not think I will be able to rebuild," he says. "I am not strong enough to make enough money."

Chinese officials are calling for relief supplies to be sent to the region as quickly as possible.  Already, thousands of people have taken refuge in tents sent to provide shelter.

Outside one tent, a 76-year-old woman says she is too scared to go back home. She says she keeps having dreams about going home and seeing the walls fall in and kill her.

Across the province, groups of soldiers armed with shovels sift through collapsed houses in search of more survivors.  More than 1,000 soldiers have been sent to help, including this Chinese army major. He says so many homes have collapsed people are really scared.  He says the toughest task is helping residents deal with the shock.

The official Xinhua news agency says the quake destroyed more than 18,000 homes, damaged 75,000 and displaced 250,000 people.

But calls for help are being answered.  State media reports many citizens are donating blood.  And one charity foundation says it is being flooded with donations.


Download Seldin report
Download  (MP3)
Listen to This Report Seldin report
Listen (MP3)
E-mail This Article E-mail This Article
Print This Article Print Version
  Related Stories
Xinhua:  Earthquake Rocks SW China, Injures at least 300
 
  Top Story
Afghanistan: NATO Strike Kills 7 Afghan Security Members

  More Stories
Afghanistan Rejects UN Criticism of Karzai
Pakistan Army: 12 Militants Killed in Recent Fighting
Army Sends Counselors to Ft. Hood, as Investigation Continues  Video clip available
Iran Lawmakers Say Tehran Will Reject UN-Backed Nuclear Deal
Obama: 10.2 Percent Unemployment 'A Sobering Number'  Video clip available
US Disappointed at Breakdown in Honduras Political Talks
Berlin Prepares for Celebrations 20 Years After Fall of Wall  Video clip available
House Nears Debate on Health Care Reform
Thousands Flee Ethnic Violence in Northern DRC
Israel Rejects UN War Crimes Resolution  Audio Clip Available
Zimbabwe's Tsvangirai Announces End of Government Boycott  Audio Clip Available
Thailand-Cambodia Tensions Rise Over Appointment of Fugitive Thai Official  Audio Clip Available
Pan-African Malaria Conference Ends on Hopeful Note
Global Climate Change Treaty Delayed  Audio Clip Available