Medical teams, essential supplies reach quake-hit Xizang to support post-disaster relief

Medical support teams and essential relief supplies are being sent to the disaster-hit areas of southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region following Tuesday's deadly quake, while financial support and donations are continuing to pour in from across the country to aid with the post-disaster work.

The 6.8-magnitude earthquake jolted Dingri County of Xigaze on Tuesday morning, with at least 126 people confirmed to have lost their lives and 188 others injured, while over 3,600 homes have collapsed.

A team of 13 medical specialists from Shanghai, including neurosurgeons, orthopedic surgeons, and anesthesiologists, arrived in Lhasa, the capital of Xizang, on a rapid-response flight on Wednesday afternoon to provide critical care to those affected by the disaster. The flight also carried 7.5 tons of supplies, including cotton-padded clothing, quilts and jackets, helping relocated resident endure the freezing temperatures.

Li Xiantao, deputy director of the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at Huashan Hospital affiliated with Fudan University of Shanghai, said their current priority is saving those in critical conditions.

"We will mainly focus on rescuing critically ill patients including those with brain injuries, severe ICU cases and patients requiring dialysis," he said.

Furthermore, Urumqi, capital city of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, raised 1.1 million yuan (more than 150,000 U.S. dollars) worth of medical supplies, including common medicines for treating viral colds and respiratory infections, to provide timely medical aid to the affected people.

To support the livelihoods of disaster-stricken residents, Qinghai Province in northwest China urgently allocated 1,000 mobile homes, 3,000 folding beds and 300 heaters.

These supplies were transported from the cities of Xining and Haidong to Dingri County. Qinghai also sent disaster damage assessment specialists to assist in the evaluation of earthquake losses.

Meanwhile, the Sichuan Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources, along with other departments, dispatched over 90 geological surveyors to the disaster area for geological hazard assessments around the epicenter. Sichuan also organized multiple medical and emergency rescue teams to assist in the relief efforts.

The Communist Youth League of China (CYLC) made arrangements for earthquake relief, including emergency rescue, volunteer services, fundraising, psychological support and post-disaster reconstruction.

On Wednesday, the CYLC allocated 1 million yuan (more than 136,000 U.S. dollars) to its Xizang branch to support its grassroots organizations in their disaster relief efforts.

As of Wednesday evening, the CYLC had donated a total of 25.62 million yuan (nearly 3.5 million U.S. dollars) in funds and supplies to the earthquake-stricken areas.

Medical teams, essential supplies reach quake-hit Xizang to support post-disaster relief

Medical teams, essential supplies reach quake-hit Xizang to support post-disaster relief

Displaced Palestinians in Egypt marked Eid al-Fitr, a celebration traditionally filled with family gatherings, with profound sorrow over their separation from loved ones in the Gaza Strip.

Eid-al-Fitr marks the end of the Muslim holy month of fasting (Ramadan) and the beginning of the new month in the lunar calendar. It is typically a time for joyous family reunions across the Muslim world.

However, thousands of displaced Palestinians in Egypt spent Eid al-Fitr without the embrace of family this year.

Naema Alsoury, one of the many Palestinians who fled the war in Gaza seeking medical treatment in Egypt, reflected on the painful reality of her situation.

Her young son, who has suffered from eye cancer since he was four months old, requires constant care. As a mother of five, Naema Alsoury managed to bring four of her children to Egypt, while her eldest son and husband remained behind in Gaza.

"Eid al-Fitr in Egypt is beautiful but only for those with a clear mind. I woke up happy that the kids are excited to celebrate Eid. But as I saw cars with families going for the prayer-- husbands and wives together and families, I thought I can't hug my son or husband. I can't be truly happy during Eid. This is my third Eid here without my mother, my sister and my brothers. What Eid al-Fitr is that? I live in fear, because no one knows the fate of those in Gaza -- who will live and who will die," said Naema Alsoury.

Recently, one of Naema Alsoury's uncles, along with some other family members, managed to reach Egypt for medical treatment. Her nephew spoke of the stark differences in living conditions between Egypt and Gaza.

"My nephew pointed out to me the differences between Egypt and Gaza. I may have not paid attention to that. I was talking to them via video call. He told his mother, they have electricity. Their TV is on. They can charge their mobile phone anytime. We can go to the toilet any time and there is always water there. We don't have that in Gaza now," said Naema Alsoury.

Egyptians across many cities have used the annual Eid al-Fitr Prayer gathering to support Palestinians in the besieged enclave.

"Eid this year and the year before has been different because we are very sad about what's happening to our Palestinian Brothers, that they are getting forced to leave their land. They are facing injustice. As Egyptians we support our President's calls to reject displacement, they are our Arab brothers. We support them," said Islam El Hawary, an Egyptian citizen.

Displaced Palestinians in Egypt mark Eid al-Fitr amid heartache, separation from family