China ups disaster preparedness following devastating Wenchuan quake
Updated: 2011-05-06 14:35
(Xinhua)
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Sichuan Vice Governor Wei Hong said quality control has been the top priority during the rebuilding process, which will be completed by the end of September. Domestic and international experts have been invited to choose locations for rebuilding projects, as well as to guide and supervise construction procedures. Higher quake-resistance standards have been applied to building public facilities, such as schools and hospitals.
Following the Wenchuan quake, international disaster reduction exchanges have been strengthened.
The Sichuan Provincial Rescue Team has sent members to the U.S., Republic of Korea, Russia and Japan to receive training and has invited foreign experts to Sichuan to give lectures on emergency rescue, according to Fu Libing.
Since its establishment, the training base has both worked with the Ministry of Civil Affairs to train 185 local officials in charge of disaster reduction in their units and cooperated with schools to teach the basics of risk prevention. More schools are planning to hold summer camp activities at the base, Fu said.
Chengdu and Baofeng county in central China's Henan province have both signed on to the "Making Cities Resilient Campaign" (2010-2011) initiated by the United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR).
The campaign aims to raise the awareness of citizens and governments at all levels of the benefits of reducing urban risks, identify budget allocations within local government funding plans to invest in disaster risk reduction activities, and include disaster risk reduction in urban development planning processes and protect critical infrastructure.
Helena Molin-Valdes, UNISDR Deputy Director, said UNISDR sees China as an important partner, especially to share information, expertise and to engage with developing countries.
"We are looking to Sichuan and Chengdu, as well, to start stronger city-to-city cooperation and we are planning the first Forum for Mayors in Disaster Risk Reduction in Chengdu in August this year. We hope this can develop into an important field for cooperation in the future," she said.