Earthquake is Much More Terrible than I Thought

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When I wrote my blog on May 12, I just focused on what happened around me. At that time, there is completely no detailed news about how bad the earthquake in Sichuan was. (I still remembered that when we flee out of the building, I thought the earthquake was happening some where in the Pacific). Even when I know it was in the mountain area in Sichuan, I said: “It is lucky that it is in very rural area, and not many people are living there”. I was wrong, deadly wrong.

Last night, Wendy and I watched news report on TV for the whole night. As young parents, we were really sad to see the primary schools were destroyed and more than 1000 kids are buried in the building – I can feel every second counts. Now they are in the ground for more than 48 hours. When I saw small school bags on the ground, my tears really run down, for long time…

It is sad. Really sad.

Now, according to Sina, 14866 people already died and about 25788 were still buried under the collapsed building. Let us keep praying for the people who are still alive and hope they get rescued very soon.

20 thoughts on “Earthquake is Much More Terrible than I Thought”

  1. Yes, very sad indeed. When I listened to (NPR reporter) Melissa Block reporting the school collapse near Chengdu, and the emotion of their parents, I was almost in tears (while driving). This is one of the most emotional story I heard from NPR.

    I think right now, the priority has to be rescuing the people under rubble, and cure the wounded. But after I stablize the situation, we need to reflect and investigate more. Are the school buildings built to the standards at the time? Have people cut corners when building the school buildings?

    I think we should also help those lost loved ones in this earthquake. And in a large scale, eliminate the povery (through education and economy development) in western part of China.

  3. Its hard to know what to say. It is easy to look at things half a world away and be detached. However I was married in Chengdu. I have many friends and colleagues there and loved ones in Chongqing. Last year we visited the Wolong Panda Reserve. I watch the video here from the USA and see the suffering there is no detachment it is very personal. I was relieved to find all my friends and loved ones are ok just very scared.

    If you can list some relief agencies where money can be donated to help the victims I am sure many of your readers would appreciate it.

  4. Jiang,

    Do you know any good and reputable charity in China that will accept donations for the earthquake victims? I want to give to the victims who need help, it may not be much from one person, but you have many readers. It is important to rescue the people that are still buried, it is also very important to make sure the survivors are cared for. Food, medical supply, water, clothing, shelters are all necessities. These all cost money, and I would like to help. I saw an old man picking up kennels of corn from the rubbles in the news, anything we can do to help alleviate the pain of these civilians should be done. unfortunately, most of the Chinese government officials are not trust worthy, I do not want to give my hard earn money to line their pockets, I want to help my own people.

    7.9 scale earthquake will shake up a lot of buildings, especially older buildings. I do not believe the people who built the school intentionally built it less than desirable. I think it is more important to rescue those who are in danger and those who need help instead of focusing on the investigation. It can be done later, after these displaced people are taken care of.

    Anything you can found, or, if you can organize an effort to help them, I will gladly send my help.

  6. Redcross US/Redcross HK and Mercycorps all have dedicated (China Earthquake) donation page online. Redcross CN’s site only works with IE, I couldn’t get it through… not sure they take dollars.

    I am deeply moved by the soldiers on the rescue front. But I wish the government called/will call international rescue teams to go in and help. There are many people in US and other countries who are very experienced in earthquake rescue. I saw a CNN interview with the LA rescue team leader who said they are ready. They’ll go today if they are called. They have will, they have experiences, they have people, they have equipments… call them! There is not much time left.

  12. Hi Carroll – thanks for the concern – yes, my colleague is safe. Unfortunately though, they cannot go to work or go to their home. They are stuck living in a vehicle provided by the government right now. Given the suffering of so many others, I think they can probably count their blessings that they are unharmed.

  13. Thanks for letting us know, AussiePB. I’m relieved and happy for you and your friend, but still so very sad, for the many thousands who have not been so lucky :-(

  17. I’ve aggregated all the news I could find on earthquake relief and donations and put together this donation guide with now 30+ ways to give:

    http://cnreviews.com/uncategorized/china_earthquake_relief_and_donation_guide_-_will_update_20080514.html

    For Americans who want to give to provide immediate relief, I recommend the American Red Cross. I interviewed their US staff and confirmed that (a) you can make a directed donation that will get sent to the Red Cross Society of China, and (b) that the overhead cost associated with their efforts is less than 9%.

    If you are in China, you may want to wire funds to the Red Cross of Sichuan directly or to the national level Red Cross Society of China.

    Of course, this is just the beginning of what some have said will affect over 20 mm people so there are lots of ways to provide aid and support.

    Pr4y1ng every day for the people in Sichuan who have been affected.

  20. next month we will go to LuguLake to help with a pilot project on biogas. Does anybody know how the situation there is after the earthquake? It would be very useful to get information somehow. Thanks. Jetske

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