2008 Sichuan Earthquake

Table of Contents

1. Introduction to Sichuan Earthquake

2. Comparison of 2008 and 2013 Sichuan earthquake

3. Responses of Private Companies and the Government

4. Summary and significance

<1>Introduction to Sichuan Earthquake

What happened?

May 12th 2008

MS 7.9

Sichuan, China

Earthquake in numbers

87,150Number of people killed and

missing

4,800,000Number of people left homeless

7.9MStrongest earthquake to hit china

since 1950

$137.5bnMoney spent on rebuilding the

affected areas

Government response

Quick response and well management

Welcomed relief assistance from other countries

Rebuilt the town right afterwards

Arisen Problems

Many schools collapsed

Poor infrastructure ➡ Partly man-made disaster!?

<2>Comparison of 2008 and 2013 Sichuan earthquake

Comparison of 2008 and 2013 Sichuan earthquake

Year 2008 2013

Ms 7.9 7

Casualties and

Missing88,000 1,000

Foreign supports

Accepted economical supports from foreign countries

Refused the economical supports from foreign countries

Why rebuilt buildings collapsed again?

Weak building standards

No experience on responding to earthquake

<3>Responses of Private Companies and the Government

Responses of Private Companies and the Government

Premier Wen entered the stricken area by the day the earthquake occurred

However, Did not accept foreign assistance until 72hours after the earthquake

<4>Summary and significance

Summary of the Chinese government responses

Good1. Chinese Premier Wen went to disaster area and displayed strong Leadership after 2 hours

2. The government allowed international medical rescue teams to enter the disaster area.

3. Although the media report were strictly regulated, the overseas media were able to access information freely.

4. The government began to check the qualities of the buildings in Sichuan Province.

Quick leadership

Opened and cooperated

Correct information

Prevention

Summary of the Chinese government responses

Bad1. The rescue army wasn’t sent as soon as possible until the president was back from abroad.

2. The government accepted everyone to enter the disaster area but made disordered.

3. Because the media report were strictly regulated, people got their informations from SNS.

4. The rebuilt buildings, which were designed for shock resistance of an 8 magnitude earthquake, collapsed in Ya’an earthquake in May,2013

Delayed response

No experience

Information regulated

Efficient but unqualified

How the government act its leadership to minimise damage after earthquake happened

The government should determine a single headquarters responsible for command, control and coordination in emergency situation and centralise the power to that single authority.

Encourage each citizen to be educated and trained in how to minimised risks from earthquake-induced secondary effects.

All of the related agencies should formulate emergency plans and pass on information regarding the emergency situation to the general public and health professionals on a normal basis.

The government should check the problems and insufficiency after disasters and make an improvement in the ability of anti-disaster.

What should a leader do when he face accident problems?

Prepare for the accidents which may occur

Take the responsibility of the accident and make a quick response

Make a plan and act organised

Face to mistake directly and release correct information

Confirm that the recovery works are qualified

References

China launches massive rescue after Sichuan earthquake: http://www.peoplesworld.org/china-launches-massive-rescue-after-sichuan-earthquake/

Wenchuan Earthquake Maps: http://www.maps-of-china.net/wenchuan-earthquake-map/

Sichuan 2008: A disaster on an immense scale: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-22398684

Sichuan 2008: Rebuilding lives after the earthquake: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-22476520

Yuki Otani(2011). Comparison of two large earthquakes: the 2008 Sichuan earthquake and the 2011 East Japan earthquake

宮入興一 , 沓掛俊夫 , 宮沢哲男 , 樋口義治 (2011). 「四川大震災の総合的研究」 . 豊橋 : 愛知大学中部地方産業研究所 (2011.3)