21 May 2008

Sichuan Province, China: UNV volunteers are working in Sichuan province in China to support medical relief for people displaced by the recent earthquake. One of them is writing an online diary of his experiences and was joined by two more UNV volunteers during May.

Liu Hui and Gao Wei were originally serving with the Beijing Youth League on the joint project with UNV and UNDP, 'Strengthening Volunteerism for Development through the Beijing Olympics'. They were selected by the Youth League to participate in a relief mission (which will include 25 doctors and medical staff) led by Guo Xinbao, Director of the Beijing Volunteer Association. Ms. Liu Hui dealt with communications while Mr. Gao Wei was tasked with equipment supply.

As the only UNV volunteer serving nearby at the time of the disaster, Liu Lei was already in place. Having contacted the Sichuan Red Cross Society and offering them the partnership of UNV China, he is now acting as a volunteer field interpreter for the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).

Mr. Liu Lei, who was originally working on a wetland biodiversity conservation project for UNDP-GEF (Global Environment Facility), is writing a diary of his work in the Mian Yang area and the role of volunteerism in dealing with the crisis.

Some extracts from Mr. Liu's diary appear below: 

"Guaranteeing homeless people's health is one of the most important aspects of the aid operation, as well as providing other basic support. According to today's plan, the IFRC and the Chinese Red Cross are to visit the most severe disaster area at Mian Yang municipality in the mid-north of Sichuan province to make a medical assessment of the refugee camps.

The team arrives in the capital of Mian Yang municipality where the most severe disaster area is. We quickly find the integrated team for disaster relief and consult them on their recent work to support logistics, sanitation, health care, epidemic prevention and psychological help, etc..." 

"After our trip to the most severe disaster area at Mian Yang municipality and especially following our meeting with the Deputy Commander of the earthquake disaster relief team, we clearly understand the prime need for refugees is family tents. The central government has ordered all tent factories in China to run at full capacity and is transporting as many as possible to the disaster area, but it seems that those positive actions still can’t meet all the demands on the spot."

"We return to our work area and have a meeting with delegates from Medecins sans Frontieres  (MSF). We share the latest information on operating medical aid for disaster areas, and conclude that we and Government are facing the same problems. Both sides agree that there should more negotiation with Government at a higher level.

The meeting yields great fruit: the two organizations (ie. IFRC and MSF) will cooperate to supply tents to refugees..."

Read more of the earthquake diary at World Volunteer Web here (opens in new window).