Relief work continues in quake ravaged areas of Yunnan

3 killed, 300 injured as quake rocks Yunnan

A local resident clears the debris of his house following a strong earthquake in Ning'er, Southwest China's Yunnan Province, June 3, 2007.[Xinhua]

Three people have been confirmed dead after a strong earthquake hit Southwest China's Yunnan Province. The quake measured 6.4 on the Richter scale, and has also injured more than 300 people.

Early on Sunday morning, an earthquake shook Hani and Yi Autonomous County of Ning'er, in Pu'er City. It caused significant damages to houses and infrastructure. Nearly all the shops in the city were forced to close. Many residents were evacuated.

More than 300 aftershocks were registered on Sunday, the strongest with a magnitude of 5.1. The local government has set up emergency shelters, and the wounded were rushed to hospital.

The quake is drawing the central government's attention. President Hu Jintao, Premier Wen Jiabao, and Vice Premier Hui Liangyu have ordered the State Council and the local governments to help with recovery efforts.

The local government of Pu'er City has already allocated one million yuan for emergency relief. The provincial civil affairs department is sending tents, quilts, and clothes to the stricken area. And the Ministry of Civil Affairs has dispatched an emergency team as well.

Residents in neighboring cities like Lincang also felt the tremor, but damage and casualty reports are not yet available.

So far, 120 thousand residents have been evacuated. The repairing of infrastructure is underway.

Each step into the Pingxin Village shows traces of Sunday's nightmare. The earthquake destroyed this decade's old home and took the lives of those living in it.

Lu Fengjin is among those who suffered misfortune. She lost her grandson--a four and half year old, buried beneath fallen bricks. Her son and daughter-in-law were also injured.

Lu Fengjin said, "I miss my grandson. He was lovely and smart. He often said to me,I want to be a pilot. The child always drew planes on this board. And this is the only thing of his that's left. Our house is destroyed. We can do nothing ourselves but to wait for the government's help. They've already come to visit us. "

Pingxin village is one of the four worst hit areas. The locals have been evacuated to safe places. But many still try to return to what is left of their homes to retrieve those things they hold dear. But they know they must also move on and, rebuild their homes. They cannot cling to only memories.

From the mountainous villages, we traveled to the county square. Three to four families share one of these tents. Away from the shabby houses, people here are safe. And their hopes for a new start are encouraged by the visit of some special guests.

This working group from the State Council is in the county to help, as well as supervise the relief work. They are here to make sure the subsidies and relief materials will be put into place immediately.

Li Liguo, director, Yunnan earthquake working group, said, "We've been meeting all of the basic needs from the affected locals who have been left homeless by the earthquake. The people are quite stable right now. Relief materials from the central government will be put in place shortly. Local authorities are doing this for the time being. "

With another shipment of relief materials on the way, more locals will be able to get tents for temporary housing. But it will still take more time for all of these people to rebuild their lives, and return to new homes.