Quake-rattled villagers rebuilding their lives
China Daily | Updated: 2024-02-01 07:03
CHENGDU — Xu Yongqiong, a villager in Luding county in the southwestern province of Sichuan, is busy decorating her new home while electricians are installing pendant lights in a room.
On Sept 5, 2022, a 6.8 magnitude earthquake jolted the county, resulting in many casualties, and collapsed houses in the affected areas.
After the earthquake, the jolted mountains nearby posed a serious geological hazard, forcing Xu's family to relocate. Assisted by the government, her new home was finally built.
And with the help of interest-free loans from a bank, money borrowed from relatives and government subsidies, she was able to invest nearly 700,000 yuan ($98,488) in a new business opportunity — the construction of a two-story building with eight bedrooms.
"I'm preparing for the future to develop this property into a homestay for tourism," said Xu, who is now running a restaurant with family members.
"We should stay busy, as I believe that through hard work, we will find hope."
Shaba village, where Xu now lives, has a population of 300 people in 95 families. Following the earthquake, 27 families sought to rebuild their homes.
Construction has been completed, and the villagers are expected to move into their new homes by the Spring Festival, which falls on Feb 10 this year, according to Wei Shuquan, Party chief of the village.
The disaster-affected villagers are gradually embarking on a new chapter in their lives.
With the government's support, more than 4,500 earthquake-affected families have had new homes built, the majority of which are located in the Tibetan autonomous prefecture of Garze and Ya'an city.
Li Zhiying, a villager in Shimian county, Yan'an, has already settled into her new home.
After putting the loss of her quake-ravaged fruit farm business behind her, Li began managing a citrus orchard up in the mountains.
"After selling these fruits, I can repay some of the loans used to build the new home. I am also planning to expand the orange planting area," she said.
