Overcoming Obstacles
Recovering from a major disaster is no easy task. According to the latest numbers, a staggering 71,000 have been reported buried, missing or dead, though the official death count is now 34,073.
Over 130,000 troops have been deployed to earthquake areas and people from around the world have been helping with the recovery effort. As you can see from the video, many foreign tourists have been extremely impressed by the Chinese government's immediate response to the crisis.
At the same time, many challenges to the rescue efforts remain. Here are a few:
Landslides and Aftershocks: The difficult Sichuan environment continues to pose a major challenge. According to one Chinese saying, it's more difficult to cross the terrain in Sichuan than to go across the heavens.
Even after the earthquake, hundreds of aftershocks in Sichuan Province have severely impeded the relief work, some of which have measured between a six and seven on the Richter scale. More than 200 relief workers were killed by mudslides over the weekend, and the threat of aftershocks caused fears and a mass evacuation in Chengdu Province.
Dam Leaks: Water concerns and flooding remain a major source of concern. While the massive Three Gorges Dam seems to be unharmed, cracks in many of the area's dams following the quake could trigger additional flooding. Seventeen reservoirs in Sichuan Province are cracked or are leaking water.
Thousands evacuated from Beichuan County, one of the areas closest to the epicenter, do not want to return home, due reports that a lake had formed from landslides that blocked the flow of a river. While some official reports have tried to downplay this threat, one paramilitary officer told Reuters that there was "an extremely big" possibility of the lake bursting.
Nuclear Concerns: Sichuan Province is home to two nuclear reactors, two sites with nuclear weapons, and two integrated works nuclear facilities, so an earthquake is not very welcome in these parts. The Chinese government has confirmed that these areas are safe, and China's Nuclear and Radiation Safety Center is on alert, but this hasn't alleviated nuclear concerns.
According to the French Institute for Radiological Protection, China has "acted well" in securing its nuclear facilities, but the sites did experience some "light damage." An aftershock near one of these facilities could pose a serious security hazard.
Homelessness and Medical Aid: Three million homes have been destroyed, leaving 4.8 million homelesss. The government and relief organizations have been providing tents and quilts for many without homes, and millions have temporary living arrangements in stadiums or other public facilities.
Sustaining this large number of displaced people will be a daunting task, especially considering the future medical concerns. How do you provide proper sanitation to thousands huddled together in national stadiums or public buildings? Providing clean water and nutritious foods present anohter challenge, especially as people might have to wait several months before their homes are rebuilt.
Over 240,000 have been hospitalized after earthquake-related injuries, and medical workers throughout China have been arriving in Sichuan to take care of victims. Even after these people are cared for, poor housing conditions and sanitation could be the perfect breeding ground for many diseases, so doctors will stay busy for quite some time.
Momentum: Right now in this moment of crisis, earthquake relief has captured the hearts and energy of the government and 1.3 billion people throughout China. While they show no sign of slowing down in the immediate future, people will return to "business as usual."
By August, much of the nation's attention will probably shift towards the Olympics and hosting the most spectacular Games, instead of the lingering needs in Sichuan. At this point, govenment officials still see no end in sight for earthquake relief, and various needs will continue to challenge the nation.
Rebuilding the cities and providing for the most basic needs of the people aren't the types of obstacles that can be overcome within the next weeks, or even months. It will realistically take several years to restore the earthquake-hit areas. Emotional and psychological needs might be an even more daunting challenge.
How will the government relief teams comfort the mother who lost her only son, or the newly-orphaned children who will never see their parents again? These types of wounds will be even more difficult to heal.
While they may fade from the attention of the international media, these memories will strongly remain in the hearts of the grieving.