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China's quake relief experience valuable to UNDP

By Maverick Chen: 0 Comments Print E-mail China.org.cn, May 18, 2010

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Jordan Ryan, director of the Bureau of Crisis Prevention and Recovery of the UN talks about UNDP's assisstance in the quake-hit Yushu. [Maverick Chen / China.org.cn]

The UNDP has hailed China's post-quake efforts in both Wenchuan and Yushu, saying China's experience can benefit the world.

Two years after the devastating Wenchuan earthquake, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) officials are hailing China's post-quake efforts, saying they should be applied in similar disasters worldwide.

"The enormous ability China can pull together immediately when a disaster occurs is impressive," said Jordan Ryan, director of the Bureau of Crisis Prevention and Recovery of the UN. "We are seeing a high degree of willingness, from high profile officials to local people, in understanding how to do things better."

China's experience from the Wenchuan earthquake in 2008 helped the country be better prepared in its response to the Yushu earthquake, which struck Qinghai Province with a magnitude of 7.1 on April 14.

Last week, principal relief workers from both provinces held a teleconference, sharing their recovery experiences. Ryan said this was an efficient means of communication that helps people learn how to be better prepared for future disasters.

He also praised Yushu officials for allowing local villagers to vote for the items they needed most and request assistance in terms of priority. He added that China's effective leadership, grassroots involvement, mobilization of young people, as well as media inspection were all lessons the UN could use.

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