President Hu, Russian team rescue, Rebuild ideas

Here is a very useful article about progress as of Saturday in the quake rescue and recovery efforts. It mentions that there are still some people holding on alive in the ruins being rescued even though it has been six days and one of them, a 61 year old woman, was found and rescued by the Russian rescue team.

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-05/18/content_8196898.htm

The article also covers President Hu's activities and comments since he too is on the scene along with Premier Wen. I agree with President Hu that everyone has conducted themselves with extraordinary bravery and dedication to save lives.

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In the meeting, Hu urged local governments at all levels and relevant central government departments to take quake relief as the most important and pressing issue in their work.

He called for unremitting efforts to search for and rescue the trapped people though more than five days had passed after the disaster.

"We should put people first and saving people's lives is still the top priority of the relief work," he said.
Troops, armed police, and public security personnel should reach villages and search every collapsed buildings to save the people, he said.
Hu also called for all-out efforts to save and cure injured survivors, urging to transfer them to hospitals with better conditions.
Hygiene measures in the quake-hit areas should be beefed up to prevent the spread of diseases, and more medical experts should be sent to these areas to help prevent and control possible epidemics, Hu said.
During the meeting, Hu expressed his concern for the people in the quake-devastated areas, calling for arrangements of supplies of daily necessities to meet people's demands.
Food, clothes, drinking water and temporary shelters must be ensured, he emphasized.
Hu also underscored social stability in quake hit areas, ordering officials to give considerate comfort and condolence to people to ensure a peaceful social environment.
"We must keep highly alert" against aftershocks and avoid further losses, he warned.
Hu also called for tightened monitoring and prevention measures on geological disasters such as landslides and mud-rock flows.
He said early planning is important for reconstruction as the country now faces a challenging task in this regard.
He also ordered early preparations and arrangements to deal with the issues of orphans, seniors and disabled.

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I agree with him and think there is some real opportunity for positive urban and rural planning and public policy to rebuilt and provide solace and meaning to the survivors. Dangerous areas need to be identified as no build zones and be left as natural zones and buffers. Industries located in the safest areas must be encouraged to rebuild, expand and employ survivors. When they have identified where these centers of commerce and agriculture will be encouraged they can plan the housing that is needed for so many. I suggest that students and other professionals be employed to test different designs for traditional and modern earthquake resistant homes for both villagers and city residents. There will also be places where new and safe hospitals and schools can be built for those who have been relocated. Social workers should be compassionate with families who have lost their child to explore whether the family can have another child or adopt an orphan. These are just a few of my thoughts.