Salvation Army assessment team in Sichuan Province, China, considers long-term plans
Major On Di Quong shares a moment with a grieving woman standing outside a makeshift tent covering the coffin of her husband
AS the people of China begin an official three-day mourning period for victims of the devastating earthquake in Sichuan Province, an assessment team from The Salvation Army’s Hong Kong and Macau Command continues to identify how it can best support the long-term recovery programme.
Under the leadership of Major Tommy Chan, the three-person team is currently in Chengdu, Sichuan Province – an area where The Salvation Army has experience from previous programmes.
Lieut-Colonel Merv Rowland, The Salvation Army's Officer Commanding for Hong Kong and Macau – with responsibility for work in mainland China – reported by telephone this morning:
 Major Tommy Chan with a group of young survivors |
 Major On Di Quong speaks with villagers in the earthquake-struck region |
‘The Chinese Government’s relief teams are completing their search-and-rescue efforts. The next couple of days will be critical as they probably mark the end of the search and recovery phase. Our own assessment team, located in an area where The Salvation Army is well known, is liaising with the authorities and plans for our involvement in the longer-term recovery efforts will become clearer later this week.'
The latest figures released by the Chinese Government reveal the extent of the disaster. More than 34,000 people are known to have been killed but a further 9,500 are still buried and almost 30,000 more are missing in Sichuan Province.
Salvation Army representatives are already in discussion with other religious organisations to make plans for a trauma counselling programme. In addition, Lieut-Colonel Rowland and relief coordinator Simon Wong are due to travel to China later this week to meet with the Government's Civil Affairs Department to discuss rehabilitation needs.
Major Cedric Hills (International Emergency Services Coordinator) reports: ‘The Salvation Army is well placed to participate in the longer-term rehabilitation needs as our local personnel have experience of working in this particular region. The financial appeal launched in Hong Kong has been received very positively. Already local donations have exceeded HK$6.5 million (US$835,000). While we are grateful for this tremendous public support and the trust placed in The Salvation Army, we realise the needs in the area will be extensive.'
