Society

All survivors sheltered in quake-hit SW county

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2011-03-14 09:58

Nurse Wang Zhenyan (R) takes care of a patient (L) in a makeshift tent after a 5.8-magnitude earthquake hit Yingjiang County in Southwest China's Yunnan province, on Friday March 11, 2011. [Photo/Xinhua]

KUNMING - Local authorities said all earthquake victims had found shelter after nearly 9,000 tents were set up in the earthquake-hit Yingjiang County in southwest China.

Altogether 53,000 people are being housed in large-sized tents erected in county plazas and village squares, said Jiang Zhaogang, spokesman with the rescue headquarters.

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Others moved in with friends, relatives, or makeshift houses for temporary accommodation, said Jiang.

A 5.8-magnitude quake struck Yingjiang County in southwest China's Yunnan Province Thursday, leaving 25 dead and 314 injured. The tremor also toppled the homes of 1,039 families and left 4,994 others seriously damaged.

As of Sunday, the central and local governments in Yunnan have disbursed 10,000 tents, 15,000 quilts and 15,000 coats for the homeless victims in the quake-hit region.

White coated medical personnel patrolled and disinfected the tents every day, and no sign of epidemics have been detected.

In one tent area, a local medical team was brewing traditional herbal juice for disease prevention, while residents lined up before the steaming wok with bowls, bottles, and even wash basins at hand.

"I invented this herbal brew especially for the disaster victims, which can help prevent flu and alleviate rheumatic pains, " said Chen Benshan, an experienced practitioner of traditional Chinese medicine.

Though the rebuilding of the county has not been put on schedule, less damaged schools are expected to resume classes on Monday.

"We want to start counseling classes as soon as possible to help the children recover from the terror of the earthquake," said Jin Xiasi, a member of the local rescue team.

Soldiers unload tents at the quake-hit Heha village of Yingjiang County, Southwest China's Yunnan province, on Monday March 14, 2011. [Photo/Xinhua]