China accepts money but says help not needed

A map in today's China Daily shows the level of destruction

China has thanked the offers of aid and assistance from around the world. But while the money has been accepted authorities have so far declined help from aid groups saying that blocked roads would prevent movement and further complicate rescue efforts. Thousands of army troops are continuing to pull people trapped in the rubble but many areas remain inaccessible. Whilst army vehicles travelled around Sichuan province conveying troops to areas of devastation many are still unable to reach rural areas. Premier Wen flew in by helicopter on Monday and spoke of the importance of clearing roadways. But many are damaged beyond repair and some areas could only be reached by helicopter. Plans to parachute in thousands of troops were cancelled due to high winds and heavy rain increasing the need for helicopters in many areas not yet reached by the army. There has been few signs of any army helicopters in news footage and while US ships in the south China sea could provide logistical help Chinese authorities have yet to take up offers. On Monday President Bush said the US would help in “any way possible”, but so far China has only taken the offers of financial assistance. Helicopters, especially such aircraft as Chinooks, would be able to take troops and heavy rescue equipment into areas otherwise inaccessible. And it is clear that problems exist in getting equipment to where it is need. Sky’s Peter Sharp speaking from Dujiangyan, near the epicentre, said, "The frustrating thing about it is, I passed about 40-50 diggers and front-end loaders on my way here, equipment that would be invaluable at the epicentre area, but they just can't get there."

US assistance in previous disasters is well documented. In 2004 a massive US led relief effort was mounted in Bande Aceh following the devastating tsunami in Indonesia. Initially authorities there were resistant to accepting US assistance but relented after the scale of the disaster became apparent. On Wednesday morning, two Chinese helicopters with relief supplies flew over the Yingxiu Town of Wenchuan County and three more were standing by awaiting orders at the Fenghuanshang airport, according to the Chengdu Military Command [Xinhua].

There has been a huge effort mounted by the Chinese government to rescue those trapped, but some logistics have still not been solved. Thousands of residents are sleeping rough after their houses were destroyed and there is little cover from the elements. Many have been forced to construct make shift tents while others are left in the open. There is little protection from mosquitoes with few mosquito nets available and with further rain predicted the situation may well deteriorate.

Britain has offered a £1 million in financial assistance and remains in contact with Chinese authorities. William Erhman, British Ambassador to China, commended the “rapid and huge response” to the disaster. But he said there were worries over some British tourists not heard from since Monday. “We remain concerned about British citizens in the area” he said. Since Monday’s earthquake there has been no word from 19 Britons who were visiting a panda reserve. However Chinese officials say that 31 British tourists have been found, though it is not clear if the 19 missing Britons were amongst them. Travel firm Kuoni said the 19 were on a coach from Chengdu to Wolong in Sichuan province when the tremor struck [BBC].

The official death toll now stands at 14,866 but unofficial figures put the number at 20,000. Behind the staggering figures are individual tales of tragedy [CNN / BBC]. CNN’s John Vause yesterday travelled through parts of Sichuan and met with one communist party official who besides having lost his parents, his wife and child, continued to help victims caught up in the disaster. It is a tale repeated across the province and all across China. Countless families have lost their only child. The one child policy has made the disaster all the more tragic for many families. Sichuan residents are well travelled and it’s hard to find a province where they have not settled. As such the tragedy has hit people from all over the country with many having lost relatives and friends. The first forty eight hours are the most critical following a tragedy such as this and if more families are to be spared the grief of losing their loved ones Chinese authorities must accept help from anyone who offers it.