From the quake's epicenter in Sichuan and out into the rural areas beyond, key needs for people include food, water, medical supplies, and shelter. Oxfam is focusing its work in areas not served by other relief efforts. Providing clean water and sanitation services is a core part of its offerings. Oxfam is also distributing food and shelter materials.
"There is a huge demand for shelters," said Howard Liu, a unit director for Oxfam Hing Kong. "In Maoxian, Oxfam is distributing to survivors plastic sheets which can be used to set up temporary shelters."
But the massive quake and its numerous aftershocks have left much of the region's infrastructure unstable, which in turn is continuing to hamper assistance. Oxfam had planned to deliver relief goods to Qingchuan county but is waiting to see what happens to a reservoir that is now at risk of collapsing. Because of that danger, 9,000 people nearby were evacuated.
An Oxfam assessment team has now reached Xiushui town with a population of 68,000 people. The quake killed 109 of its residents and injured 300 others. The town's buildings were mostly destroyed and huge numbers of people are waiting to be resettled. Food has now reached residents, and Oxfam is giving priority attention to children, women, and elderly people. An assessment team is also gauging the needs of people.
"We are reaching areas not served by other efforts," said John Sayer, the director general for Oxfam Hong Kong. "One such project underway is with a community group in Qingchuan, which has identified that Muslim communities there—about 8,000 people—are in need of Halal food." Halal foods are those permitted to be consumed under Islamic dietary guidelines.
]]>"Having secured an arrangement with government units to provide relief in remote areas, Oxfam's five relief teams are putting all of our resources into helping people stranded in rural areas away from the epicenter," said John Sayer, director general of Oxfam Hong Kong.
Oxfam has now committed more than $3.2 million to an initial effort that has commanded response from around the world as headlines continue to bear bad news: A week after the 7.9 magnitude quake struck, Reuters is reporting that 34,000 have died and 30,000 others remain missing; 4.8 million people have lost their homes; and Sichuan Province alone is facing $9.6 billion in economic losses. Hundreds of aftershocks and heavy rain have brought further devastation, including landslides that have reportedly killed 158 relief workers struggling to repair roads in recent days.
"Oxfam is teaming up with medical and hygiene professionals and working in and around the city of Mianyang to prevent an epidemic from starting," said Sayer. Oxfam is also carrying out disease monitoring, control, and prevention in Guangyuan and Zhenzhong.
The organization is concentrating on securing an adequate supply of drinking water for survivors as well as helping to provide safe sanitation services, and carrying out public health education.
Oxfam's first shipment of goods reached Dujiangyin and Guangyuan on Monday. A second shipment is due to reach Qingchuan on Tuesday.
Among the health-related goods Oxfam is sending into the region are portable toilets, intestinal drugs, first aid materials, face masks, and sanitary supplies for women. It has also provided clothing and high-energy biscuits.
Five villages in Gansu Province will also be getting a delivery of aid that will include tents, flour, oil, blankets, and milk powder. The goods will help meet the needs of 3,000 people in Wudu County.
Oxfam, which has more than 20 years experience working in mainland China, is now working alongside the Civil Affairs Department, the Poverty Alleviation and Development Office, several mainland-based aid groups, medical schools, and a variety of volunteer groups.
Additionally, the organization is preparing to reach remote areas of Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture.
]]>Oxfam has committed $1.55 million to this initial response. It is also preparing for longer-term projects such as helping to rebuild damaged infrastructure.
Oxfam colleagues based in the neighboring province of Yunnan are now traveling to Wenchuan County in Sichuan, the epicenter of the 7.8-magnitude quake, for assessment and coordination of the relief work. The organization is also planning to provide assistance in Gansu Province where it had been working on development projects prior to the disaster.
Based on our communication with local organizations in the affected areas, our initial assessment is that earthquake survivors need clean water, food, medicine, clothing, and blankets. We also anticipate that there will be a huge need for rehabilitation and reconstruction assistance. Damage to infrastructure and other facilities is significant and Oxfam expects it will take months for the region to recover.
"This is the worst earthquake in 30 years, with a huge impact on people's livelihoods," said John Sayer, director general of Oxfam Hong Kong. "With over 20 years of experience working in China on long-term development work and emergency relief, Oxfam Hong Kong is determined to help as quickly as possible, to guarantee people's safety in the short term, and in the end, as a long-term goal, to improve their livelihoods."
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