SHANGHAI - Lu Wen, a social worker left on Wednesday on a mission: to cheer up the people of Dujiangyan.

Lu is among a team of 13 - the first of its kind in the country - set up to help quake victims rebuild communities within their new homes - rows of prefabricated houses at temporary settlements.

The team includes eight teachers and two students from East China University of Science and Technology, and three social workers.

They are being jointly funded by the city's civil affairs bureau and the university, and will be based in Qinjianrenjia, a large settlement for earthquake victims in the city of Dujiangyan, one of the hardest hit areas.

The 37-year-old, an experienced social worker, is planning to talk to victims at a temporary settlement in the city, find out their interests and organize regular events for them.

"In that way, we hope victims will meet, talk and communicate," Lu said.

"You cannot alleviate your sadness and let out sorrow and fear if you stay alone."

Zhou Jingbo, deputy director of the Shanghai municipal civil affairs bureau, who recently returned from a visit to the settlement, said: "It is not just that their houses have collapsed.

"What is more significant is that they have lost their families, social ties and community support and are in a totally new environment," he said.

Zhang Yu, a professor at East China University of Science and Technology and leader of the team, said people at the settlement looked lost, as if they were wondering what was happening.

Like other settlements set up after the quake, the one at Qinjianrenjia is home to survivors from different parts of the city. It has room for 15,000 people, but as of June 9, 6,000 were living there.

Fei Meiping, another team member said: "Most of them are of employment age, but are now unemployed because the city's pillar industry, tourism, has almost collapsed.

"About 40 percent are either under 18 or over 60, who are vulnerable and more shocked by the disaster," he said.

"A supportive and harmonious community will empower them to be more resilient to any future disasters," Zhang said.

Fei said they will investigate the situation once they arrive and make plans to rebuild communities.

In about three months, 400 social workers and professionals will be sent to Dujiangyan, Zhou said.