China Earthquake Update
The Current Situation
The Chinese authorities are expected to unveil policies by the end of August regarding reconstruction after the destructive May 2008 earthquake.
Meanwhile, discussions and planning for rebuilding are continuing across the eight provinces of southwestern China affected by the earthquake. Survivors of the earthquake are expected to face a range of options including: rebuilding their former homes on their original sites; resettling in another location and rebuilding collectively; and moving to urban areas and buying commercial housing units.
Habitat's Response
Habitat for Humanity is working with Chinese government officials on a pilot project to launch a long-term and sustained Habitat reconstruction effort to rebuild homes and lives following the earthquake.
The first phase of the project will begin with a goal of supporting 1,000 families, in groups of 100 in Jingyang and other locations, and investing in the capacity to assist thousands more through partnerships with local authorities and other non-governmental organisations.
Habitat for Humanity International’s CEO Jonathan Reckford met families and officials in Jingyang and other earthquake-torn communities during a recent visit to Sichuan.
“The devastation is some of the worst I have seen,” said Reckford.
Three-part Response
Working with the local Jingyang district government and subject to clearance from higher authorities, Habitat envisages a three-part response:
- Habitat will work with local government and home partners to provide technical assistance in designing earthquake-resilient buildings, and in
construction management. Most homes will be rebuilt in existing villages.
- Habitat will work with partners to meet government guidelines to build a certain number of schools, clinics and other facilities along with the houses.
- Habitat will leverage donor funding by working with the local authorities and financing institutions to provide micro-financing facilities
to supplement the cost of construction. The local and central governments are due to provide shelter grants of RMB20,000 (£1,450)
for each family. The remaining RMB50,000 (£3,650) estimated cost will be provided partially by the families and partially through loans
from rural credit cooperatives.
Rebuilding permanent homes is expected to take at least three years. It is hoped four-fifths of families will be able to rebuild within their existing communities.
But in rebuilding, Reckford noted: “It is important to build houses that are earthquake-safe. Most of the houses we have seen were built with hollow cement blocks and heavy timber roof-support beams that collapsed from the force of the earthquake.
“Going forward, Habitat will design and build homes that can better withstand the force of potential future earthquakes.”
Habitat for Humanity in China
Habitat for Humanity has been operating in Yunnan, Guangdong and Guangxi provinces for the past seven years. In partnership with different government and
charitable organisations, Habitat has built and repaired hundreds of houses for the disabled and for those in need. Habitat has helped repair houses damaged
by flooding in Meizhou, Guangdong, and after the earthquake in Pu’er, Yunnan. The team working in China also includes staff members who played key roles
in Habitat’s work in Indonesia after the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.
Find out more about Habitat for Humanity in China
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