ROKPA Update - Yushu Earthquake

It is now more than a year since the earthquake in Yushu on April 14th, 2010 flattening the mainly Tibetan town of Yushu. Over 2,000 people were killed and several thousand injured and made homeless. Because of the help from many people, ROKPA was soon able to respond by supplying insulated tents to over 100 families.

In March 2011, it was reported that there was little change in the circumstances for those still remaining in the area or in the surrounding villages that were damaged.

Most of those remaining are still living in tents and may continue to do so for some years to come.

The Government is beginning to build modern houses, but it will take a long time for these to be completed.

Over £100,000 were spent in providing insulated tents to a large number of families who were without. All other funds donated are being used for the support of orphans in the disaster area needing help for their education as well as those who we supported before at the Yushu Orphanage who were sent to other schools outside the area. Some has also been set aside for re-building when permission is granted.

 

 

ROKPA fieldworkers visited the site of the devastating Yushu Earthquake, late last year.

Lea Wyler, ROKPA Vice President: "What happened here is very sad and an unbelievable tragedy. It is also unbelievable that the survivors keep on going. They trade in fur, amber, rice and tea, fresh apples and sheep are also for sale. The earthquake victims try to give their life some new perspective. We are staying in small, temporary, prefabricated houses on the school grounds, a short distance away from piles of debris from the earthquake. In the room next to mine, only divided by a thin wall, a small child cries. Her name is Metok, she is 14 month old, very chubby and very serious. Her Tibetan name means 'flower'."

Zepak and her family used to own a big house in Yushu. They were well off and had servants and domestic animals - and the only bath tub in Yushu! Now they live in a tent in the Horse Festival plain - a huge flat area with thousands of tents. Zepak Dolma shares the tent with her parents her 2 children and another family who were refused a tent as they weren't registered in Yushu.
In the city all the buildings are being demolished and the whole city will be rebuilt. The old traditional Tibetan buildings will no longer exist.

Funds are needed for our support of higher education for the orphans. Between £200 - 500 a year will pay for a student through Tibetan teacher training college and other course such as training in Tibetan medicine. Please help if you can.