A powerful quake measuring 7.9 on the Richter scale shook the Sichuan province in south-west China on 12 May 2008 at 2:30 pm. The impact was also felt in neighbouring provinces of Shanxi and Gansu. The tremors were felt by residents living at least a thousand kilometers away in Beijing.

 
This was a devastating earthquake which left at least 80,000 people dead or missing and hundreds of thousands injured.

More than a month on, at least five million people are homeless. The quake displaced a total of 20 million people, survivors who will need to find the force to continue living. They’ve a long way to go before the scars are healed.

Among the survivors – many are children found buried in the debris after their school buildings collapsed. Nature’s anger accentuated by mere human negligence.

Many families who lost their children or relatives hold the government responsible: why did some buildings collapse and not the others? Is there reason to believe that corruption could be a cause?

Since this tragic day, everything seems to have to come to a standstill in the Shanxi and Gansu provinces. The authorities here don’t want to hear accusations and reconstruction of the area could take at least two to three years. Until then, survivors are doing their best to survive with whatever little is available to them.

They’re trying, and often by forcing themselves, to lead a normal life. Psychological help is available for those who break down. Several people are on the waiting list. Jiang and Wen refuse to accept their son’s death. “Where is my son ? I don’t believe this! My son, my God! »

This is an everyday sight in Sichuan. The powerful earthquake left a permanent impact.