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DUJIANGYAN: China is beginning its second phase of relief work in quake-hit Sichuan province. Eleven days after the quake struck, rescue efforts are focusing on reconstruction.
11-year-old Yang Manxiao escaped the earthquake when it struck.
She said: "We were having art class when the earthquake happened. The building shook and the lights swayed. Our teacher told us to remain calm and then she opened the door and told us to run out to the school field."
Since that fateful day, Manxiao has been living with her grandmother, mother and 21-day-old brother. Her father is helping out in rescue work in Wenchuan county.
Local residents who have survived the deadly quake are rallying around to help one another through the crisis. Since the shelter was set up, there have been volunteers cooking meals for the survivors every day.
One volunteer said: "We are helping them because we understand their plight. They've lost everything, their homes and belongings. That's why they are being sheltered here. We sympathise with their situation and want to help in any little way we can."
Volunteers and officials are rushing to build sturdier structures to house the affected people. More than 2,000 temporary units are under construction and they are expected to be completed in a week's time.
Equipped with common toilets and kitchens, these temporary homes will be able to house the 4,000 homeless people currently located at Dujiangyan.
More of these temporary units are being constructed across quake-affected areas as it will take about two years to repair their destroyed homes.
While many will eventually move into proper homes, the scars from the disaster will take longer to heal.
- CNA/so
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