Yushu Earthquake

Posted on 13 May 2010.

At 10 a.m. on Wednesday 21 April, ranks of residents, troops and officials in Gyegu, Qinghai province, and in the provincial capital Xining bowed their heads for three minutes while sirens and horns sounded.

The nine members of China's Politburo Standing Committee, led by President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao, stood around a conference table with their heads bowed. It was all part of a day of mourning a week after a magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck the Yushu area of Qinghai province, causing massive devastation.

More than 2,000 people died and at least 10,000 were injured. The majority of buildings in the area were destroyed; roads and bridges were damaged. Teams of rescuers were immediately sent in, but struggled with the high altitude, freezing weather and chill winds. Soldiers, civilian rescue workers and Buddhist monks used pickaxes, shovels and their bare hands to pick through the rubble for survivors. Food, water, tents and medical supplies were sent into the region and Premier Wen Jiabao promised an "all-out effort" to rebuild the area. Tents were set up in many open areas, but with temperatures regularly below freezing, life remained very challenging.

Our co-workers in the province report, "Already in the foreign press this has ceased to be news, yet here the devastation and heartbreak continues for survivors and their friends and families as they try to come to grips with what has happened. Locals in Yushu are living in tents and there is talk of not rebuilding Jiegu on the existing location but rather closer to the airport."

AM-CCSM was able to send some funds in immediately to help support survivors by supplying shoes, clothing and care packages, as well as by providing medical care. One co-worker shared, "It was a real privilege and a very humbling experience to be able to meet these dear folk. It was heartbreaking to see the condition of some of the patients. Thanks so much for standing with us in prayer and interceding for these precious people." He also made this request: "What we really would like you to do for us now is pray for wisdom in knowing which patients to spend time with and in particular who we should be making a long term commitment to."

Pray for all those who are suffering because of the earthquake in Yushu. Remember those who lost loved ones, those who are injured, those who lost homes and livelihoods...

Pray that the authorities will be committed long-term to help these people rebuild their lives.

Pray for our co-workers based in Qinghai province. Please respond to their request for prayer for "wisdom in knowing which patients to spend time with and in particular who we should be making a long term commitment to."