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UPDATE, 18:09 The first Japanese relief workers are expected to leave tonight. A group of 60 earthquake specialists together with sniffer dogs will head to Sichuan over the next few days. Meanwhile, the Chinese government has appealed for earth-moving equipment to aid rescue efforts in the region. Many relief workers are currently sifting through the rubble with their hands according to ABC News. The latest official death toll stands at 19,500 but is expected to rise sharply over the coming days.
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This terse, one-line report on QQ tells us that foreign relief workers have finally been allowed access to the region surrounding the epicentre of the earthquake which has devastated Sichuan. It gives few details, merely stating that the Foreign Ministry has announced that a Japanese team have been granted access. The Japanese government, with their expertise on dealing with earthquake aftermaths, had been one of the first foreign governments to offer China assistance following the initial 7.8 quake on Monday.
The head of China's Civil Affairs Ministry had previously cited poor travel conditions in the Sichuan area as the reason for not allowing foreign rescue teams access. Despite tens of thousands of people still believed to be buried and/or missing following China's biggest earthquake in several decades, The Times reports that
'Wang Zhenyao, the head of the Ministry’s Relief Department told a press conference: “Transportation in affected areas is obstructed and it is impossible for our rescue teams to reach the disaster-hit areas. So the conditions are not yet ripe for us to allow international rescue teams into China.”'The government had thanked the international community for its monetary support whilst still resisting offers of personnel, as the Times of India reported on Tuesday:
'"The competent authorities of China in charge of disaster relief works and civil affairs welcome the aid from international community and we are ready to make contact with the relevant countries and organisations," Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Qin Gang said'While time is running out for victims of the quake, the remarkable story of a pregnant woman rescued after spending 50 hours trapped under earthquake rubble may offer a slight glimmer of hope that more people can still be found alive.
Photo of CHINESE aid workers dealing with the earthquake aftermath from szbluewater
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As posted by an old-chinahand and ShanghaiExpat.com user in ChengDu:
Many foreigners in Chengdu, as well as from within the rest of China and other countries have offered to assist in the rescue and aid effort. Even with my relatively inside connections in the area; having been involved in aid projects in Mao Xian county, just a few kilometres north of the epicenter; it is not feasible to allow foreign aid workers in on the ground at this time. The security situation, as we all know, must be controlled. China places a heavy emphasis on protecting foreign visitors; and yes, some may feel it is rather restrictive in nature; but that's the way it is. Local officials do not want to be held responsible for the safety of a group of foreigners in their area. For the Chinese, that is a heavy responsibility, believe it or not. Special preparations would have to be made to accommodate any foreign relief effort and because time is of the essence, it is best to let the Chinese get on with the task at hand.
They have indeed been quick to the scene. Given the terrain and the topography of the area; a faster response is all conjecture and hindsight. When there is an emergency; one huge advantage China has is man-power. And the rescue effort has thrown alot of man-power into the situation. That is why the best way for foreigners and foreign countries to assist is in monetary or hard-goods contributions. Once the area has been stabilized, there will be plenty of aid and relief opportunities for foreigners and foreign aid groups. There always has been in those relatively poor regions of Western Sichuan.
So, let's be patient and not be insulted or take offense. Chinese people do appreciate assistance given by foreigners. Of that, and from my 10 years of experience in this region, I have no doubt.
http://www.shanghaiexpat.com/MDForum-viewtopic-t-75956-start-125.phtml
good to know that the government has also welcomed an aid team from Taiwan.