Sichuan recovery continues apace

Recovery from the Sichuan earthquake disaster continues apace. The level of support for the affected population has been truly remarkable - huge numbers of aid workers, soldiers, government officials and volunteers have worked tirelessly to provide food, clean water, accommodation, medicine and healthcare.

Xinhua reports that the quake relief headquarters met for the 24th time on 5 August, with Premier Wen Jiabao presiding (http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-08/05/content_8982783.htm). The meeting promised that, within three years, every family will have a house, every household will have an income, every person will have insurance, and that every measure will be taken to improve the infrastructure, economy and environment. The mobilisation to achieve these goals is expected to involve some 20 million people.

Meanwhile, tens of thousands of victims of the 2005 Hurricane Katrina are still unable to return to New Orleans.