Given a mandate by Chinese President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao, Vice Premier Hui Liangyu on Sunday urged local governments
to make every effort to protect people's lives and minimize any
further losses caused by Typhoon Saomai.
Typhoon Saomai, the strongest to hit China in half a century and
now a tropical depression, has left at least 114 dead and 183
others missing by Sunday.
During his tour to east China's Zhejiang and Fujian provinces on Saturday and Sunday, Hui
inspected the rescue work and visited people who were traumatized
by the disaster.
Safety of the people had to be the priority, said Hui, and the
aim of rescue operations must be to reduce the loss of life to the
minimum. The way of life for people had to be restored as much as
possible, he added.
On the visit to Cangnan County of Zhejiang and Fuding City of
Fujian, the worst-hit locations, Hui told villagers that the Party
and government would assist them re-build their lives. He praised
Party officials in Xi'ao Village of Fuding on hearing that no one
had died during the evacuation.
Hui also visited PLA soldiers, armed police, public security
forces and militia who"ve been assisting in the aftermath of the
typhoon. Speaking with provincial officials, Hui said the search
for those missing must continue and condolences offered to the
families of victims should be given in an appropriate
way.
"Clean drinking water, enough clothes, accommodation, medical
services and schooling must be available to the people who are
affected by the typhoon," he said. Restoration of water and power
supplies, transportation and communication must be completed as
quickly as possible while those people helping themselves must be
supported by the government, he added.
Hui also stressed the need for epidemic controls and called for
everyone to assist in the reconstruction work.
He warned that the situation remained severe as it was still the
flood season and therefore the leadership must keep alert and be
well prepared for any further weather related difficulties.
(Xinhua News Agency August 14, 2006)