Quake relief supplies not reaching rural areas of Yaan
“We are very dissatisfied with the government’s efforts … for people like us living out in remote areas, we are getting nothing,” said He Xiaobing, a villager from Taiping town’s Shengli village.
“We are very dissatisfied with the government’s efforts … for people like us living out in remote areas, we are getting nothing,” said He Xiaobing, a villager from Taiping town’s Shengli village.
Our car arrived at a very dangerous turn on the moutain road, where rocks could fall any time. We saw people in military uniforms getting off their vehicles to take photos as if they were heroes, holding up traffic putting others in danger. I could not believe my eyes.
“The government doesn’t care about us, no one has asked about us and all the aid is going to the central areas and districts.”
Shelter has been the biggest problem. For Yaan, that means a lack of tents for the 17,000 who are now homeless from the quake.
He, 42, said his group of 350 homeless villagers had to share nine tents loosely strung to the ground and with no flooring. Only 100 bottles of water were delivered to the village the night before, he said.
Taiping party secretary Wang Dong urged villagers on Tuesday “not to worry” because “a lot of supplies would be coming soon once the roads were cleared". Most of the resources were concentrated in Lushan, he said.
Tianquan county party secretary Zhao Changlin said on Monday that at least “12,000 more tents” were needed. Many were making do with makeshift canopies set up in school playgrounds.