A year ago today, a 7.9 earthquake decimated homes, schools and lives in Sichuan Province, China. In an area still rattling nerves with aftershocks, the government is racing to meet the goal of housing all earthquake victims by 2010.
Recent speculations aside, earthquakes happen and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future. In the mean time, NGO’s have been given an expanded role and are working together in the Province, with the Chinese Government. It’s a big job. As many as five million people were left homeless.
Sichuan Province is also the home of the largest panda preserve. The breeding center was destroyed in the earthquake and four staff members died. However, the new center is now under construction. In light of all the reconstruction, there is concern over whether the panda’s native habitat will be fragmented.
Grab and Keel 