UNICEF assesses the impact of the 6.1-magnitude earthquake on children in Sichuan

Aftershocks and inadequate basic relief supplies for the coming winter continue to threaten tens of thousands of children and their families after a 6.1-magnitue earthquake hit the bordering areas of Sichuan and Yunnan provinces on the 30th of August, according to a joint assessment field trip of UNICEF and Sichuan Provincial All-China Women's Federation.

The new earthquake left 38 people dead, 982 injured and affected a population of 1.2 million. More than 500,000 houses were damaged or toppled and about 200,000 people were relocated.

The central and local governments rushed tents and quilts to the worst-affected areas. However, difficult terrain, poor land traffic and rains made it difficult to reach those living in high-altitude mountainous and ethnic-populated towns and villages.

"Many of the rural families had to set up make-shift tents with limited materials from their ravaged mud-bricked houses, sometimes just a thin layer of plastic film." Ms. Chen Xuefeng, UNICEF China Child Protection Specialist said. "We visited a temporary hospital in the epicenter Lixi Township and found the children were more vulnerable because of the poor living conditions."

Over 900 aftershocks have been recorded since August 30, leaving many people still in fear. In the tent hospital of Lixi township, a teenage girl received medical treatment for her broken arm. "She rushed out of the house in panic when a major aftershock hit on Sept. 5 and fell." The doctor told the assessment team.

"Children need to resume school as soon as possible as it is very risky for them to be left behind at home alone, overwhelmed by the fear of aftershocks." Chen said. "Child friendly spaces would be helpful to meet the urgent needs."

About 300 schools in the worst-hit Panzhihua City and Huili County in Sichuan were damaged, delaying the new school year for about 200,000 students. It is reported that as of September 8, all the students in Panzhihua City and 16.1% of the students in Huili County have resumed school. Tents and prefabricated classrooms are urgently needed for severely damaged schools.