Yushu Earthquake - Update
Seeing some reports in a few Tibetan websites that foreign aid was being “blocked” by the Government, I got in touch with our contacts at the Chinese Embassy here in London and in Beijing.
Their explanation is that far too many different groups of people from outside are rushing into Yushu Township without proper planning, organization or official permission. Such uncontrolled influx of different groups coming to help with good intention, creates problems of organization and distribution. I was assured that the Tibet Foundation will have no difficulties and that our Field Officers will get whatever official assistance is required to deliver the relief aid.
In the morning I called our Field Officer in Chengdu and he said
“The Government authorities are giving us their fullest cooperation. Yesterday (28th) my meeting with the authorities including Ma Turing went very, very well. They gave us special ‘Permit’ for safe passage of our relief goods to be transported directly to Yushu as well as letters of introduction and recommendation letters to responsible authorities in Yushu asking them to extend their full cooperation to Tibet Foundation.”
“The money has arrived in the bank. But the money sent was a little short of what is needed for the goods that we have ordered. I’ll update you with how much is needed.”
“As for the drinking water situation in Yushu is concerned, unlike places in mainland China, Tibetan areas, especially in places like Yushu County, there are lots of rivers and streams flowing from hills. I am in contact with reliable individual people and officials in Yushu. They all reassure me that adequate water is being made available to the people. Many water-purifying machines have also been installed. I strongly feel that we need not buy and deliver any additional water from outside Yushu.”
This morning (29th), in response to the request of our Field Officer, we sent another £5.000. Although we sent money by bank-to-bank transfer (express service), it seems that in China it will take at least four days to be processed.
Phuntsog Wangyal
Yushu Earthquake - Update
I have spoken to our Field Officer this morning. He said that he went with two Assistants and bought a thousand good quality woolen blankets as the sub-zero temperatures in Yushu even at this time of the year is a major problem.
Our local need assessment found that the most urgent and useful item in demand for the most vulnerable in Yushu, especially women and children, are warm woollen blankets both for now and in the long run.
All the blankets especially ordered will have Tibet Foundation logo on them and transported overland to Yushu in trucks under the "Yushu Earthquake Relief Fund" program. Our Field Officer has spoken this morning to Ma Yuang to get a letter from the relevant authorities to ensure smooth passage of the relief trucks to Yushu. The phone connections are restored and we are in constant touch with our Field Officer to monitor and report the developing situation and the updates from Yushu.
Phuntsog Wangyal
Yushu Earthquake Update 22nd April 2010
2183 people have been confirmed dead, 256 missing and 12,128 injured, of which 1,424 are severely injured, and more than 10,000 people are left homeless.
Many believe that the death toll and numbers of injured to be much higher than what's been reported in the media. At this time of year, the temperature in Yushu often sinks to -25 Degree Celsius; under these freezing conditions, many people remain trapped under rubble, while thousands are still without basic needs.
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