Beijing (AsiaNews/Agencies) – Seven months after the Sichuan earthquake killed 80,000 people, millions of victims are battling biting cold in tents and temporary housing. Beijing's plans to spend 1 trillion yuan (US$ 145.5 billion) on rebuilding are cold comfort for families who lack everything. Local Christian groups are providing help to meet everyday needs.
A Siberian cold front lashed the mainland last week, plunging temperatures in quake zones to below freezing. Quake survivors live in tents and prefabricated housing with communal kitchens, supermarkets, schools (pictured) and even massage parlours, but face high prices. Many of them not only have lost their homes but also their livelihoods.
In some areas like Dujiangyan the once flourishing tourist industry is now but a shadow of its old self. Even blankets and heavy clothing are in scarce supply.
Christians in the diocese have brought assistance to the victims, providing essential items and repairs.
On 4 November Jinde Charities delivered quilts valued at 400,000 yuan to survivors in Yuli. Later it handed out door-to-door 7,400 cotton blankets valued 640,000 yuan in Pingtong town in Pingwu, Chen Jiaba town in Beichuan County, and Shuimo town in Wenchuan. Jinde volunteers were thus able to meet families, assess their needs and offer solidarity.
Survivors in Xihe, a village located high up on a hillside, live in a poorly heated shelter.
Chen Jiaba is another of the hardest hit areas. From the start volunteers were crucial in setting up a shelter for the 3,500 people from 18 local villages.
But more than 1,500 families still live in temporary tents they set up on their own.
With the assistance of Jinde volunteers residents of Yanshan village are trying to repair damaged homes in which to spend the winter
Other volunteers are trying to collect winter blankets, clothing and other items worth two million yuan.
Meanwhile the authorities in Dujiangyan are offering quake-hit families 140,000 yuan or a new 70 m2 apartment on the condition they give up their title to their old homes.
It is not a bad deal, some say, for the government.