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The Fridge On The Back

May 22, 2008 | Beichuan, China | Vetting explained

FanZ Posted by:
FanZ

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He's just another ordinary survivor.

 

Beichuan, the town he lived in, was devastated by the earthquake. Its official death toll has climbed to 7,000 – many people buried under the debris are not yet counted, and may never be found and counted.

 

Real danger still lingers, 11 days after the main shock. More than 100 upstream reservoirs were severely damaged. Some of them are in the brink of failure. Among them is the Zipingpu dam, a major 500-foot high hydroelectric construction. If fails, it is capable to cause even worse destruction than the earthquake. Although extreme caution has been paid to its stability, its failure remains a realistic possibility, with more aftershocks possible and heavy rainfall normally expected during this time of the year.

 

Additionally, the risk of disease spreading from rotting corpses has started to rise. The amount of medicines and masks are not sufficient, partially due to the destruction of the roads, bridges and tunnels near this mountainous town. The survivors are not on a safe ground yet.

 

Because of this, they are requested to evacuate. The man pictured above is carrying a refrigerator, which probably cost most of his savings. In the moment of life and death, money and property is not important. After the disaster, survivors still have to live their lives.

 

Natural disaster is unpreventable. There is very little we can do for the victims, other than having them in our thoughts and prayers. For those who survived, and whose lives are completely shattered, it is our responsibility to let them know that they are cared and there is still hope.

 

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Please visit http://sichuan-memorial.org/ to find more stories and pictures. Love is the universal language of mankind. It is what makes the world a better place. Thank you.

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