Source:
https://scmp.com/article/644751/hk-volunteers-help-reconstruction

HK volunteers help with reconstruction

Hong Kong engineers are helping rebuild areas devastated by May's earthquake that struck the Sichuan region in mainland China.

Two major pilot projects in Sichuan and Gansu, the two provinces hardest hit by the quake, have already started, thanks to the efforts of a newly established local charity - Engineers Without Borders.

'We sent out 5,000 e-mails to contacts on our database two days after the [May] tragedy to recruit volunteer engineers, and the response has been very positive. We have recruited about 140 professionals from various engineering disciplines, such as building, environmental and information technology, as volunteers,' said Albert Lai, chairman of Engineers Without Borders, which was set up less than a month after the earthquake struck.

'We provide integrated support and emphasise a whole cycle of reconstruction and disaster prevention. This involves assessing the social, economical and environmental impact of the disaster on the victims, evaluating their needs and ensuring the sustainable development of the affected areas,' he said.

Hong Kong engineers are expected to play an important role in the relief effort with their experience and professional knowledge.

Carol Leung, associate professor at the University of Hong Kong's architecture department, who is also an architect in charge of the pilot projects, said: 'Hong Kong engineering professionals, including architects, planners, surveyors and construction experts, can participate as volunteers in the rebuilding process in areas where expertise and help are most needed.'

Planners and quantity surveyors are most sought after to carry out detailed surveys and research for rebuilding remote towns and villages.

Mr Lai, who has 28 years of experience as a civil engineer, said these professionals 'can estimate how much damage has been caused to the areas and evaluate how much finances are needed to rebuild the towns and villages'.

According to Ms Leung, jobs that need to be filled before the rebuilding process takes place '[include] public safety and hygiene, identification of safe sites after changes [to the landscape] and ensuring a clean water source on the camping sites'.

Besides the two pilot projects, the organisation also provides technical support and advice to local charity organisations. Mr Lai said: 'We try to tie our reconstruction efforts with the national plans.'

He added that the reconstruction process could take four to five years. Funds from public donations go a long way to help the organisation with its long-term reconstruction projects.

'We have received sponsorship for air tickets to fly the volunteers to the quake sites and are looking to raise more funds to extend our relief efforts beyond the mainland,' Mr Lai said.

'In the long run we hope to offer help to people not only in China, but in other places hit by natural disasters such as Myanmar.'