Quake relief still severe challenge

2008-6-14

CHINESE leaders on Friday urged the nation to make all-out efforts in meeting the various tasks, including quake relief, post-quake reconstruction, economic and social development and preparation for the upcoming Olympics.

At a meeting in Beijing, President Hu Jintao raised overall requirements and tasks on quake relief, post-quake reconstruction, economic and social development and preparation for the Olympic Games.

Premier Wen Jiabao made a briefing on quake relief in the past period and current economic situation and made specific arrangements about providing one-on-one support to quake-hit areas and maintaining sound momentum of economic development.

According to the meeting, the 8.0-magnitude quake that hit Sichuan Province on May 12 was the most destructive quake which affected the widest area and posed the most difficultly for quake relief since the People's Republic of China was founded in 1949.

However, with concerted efforts from various sectors of society as well as international aid, major achievements have been made in quake relief as many people were saved, basic livelihood of the survivors' were cared for and social order remained stable in general.

But the quake relief situation was still severe and tasks still heavy.

Major effort should be put into treating the injured, re-settling the survivors, preventing epidemics and secondary disasters and rehabilitating the infrastructure.

Meanwhile, reconstruction should be started as soon as possible.

One province should be designated to help rebuild one hard-hit county, and the central government would also earmark special funds for reconstruction.

The meeting also called on officials and people in quake areas to help each other and rebuild their lives with their own hands.

The reconstruction should follow scientific programming and be done step by step.

According to the meeting, 19 provinces and municipalities including Guangdong and Shanghai would help 18 hard-hit counties in Sichuan and affected regions in Gansu and Shaanxi provinces. Shanghai will help Dujiangyan City in Sichuan.