Final report - Qinghai province earthquake

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Received: Friday, 14 May, 2010, 3:10 PM

Qinghai province earthquake -- Report 3 and final as of 20100509

The 7.1 Ritcher scale earthquake that struck China?s Qinghai province on
14 April killed more than 2,000 people and relief efforts are continuing
for those left homeless. A day of national mourning was held on 21 April.

Amateur radio operators in China were widely involved in the disaster relief
actions. They were from Beijing, Sichuan, Shandong, Anhui, Qinghai and Jiangsu,
travelling to the disaster centre.

There in poor weather conditions they helped in the transportation of medicines,
tents, food and clothes to the disaster area.

The amateur radio operators were even directly involved in disaster rescue
activities. One Beijing amateur radio rescue team saved 6 people.

The high altitude caused 90% of the amateur radio rescue team members to
have Plateau Reaction (altitude sickness), but no one was injured during
their efforts to help others affected by the disaster.

The CRSA reports that the experience and lessons learnt from the Great Sichuan
earthquake in 2008, resulted in amateur radio disaster relief evolving into
a practical level.

The radio hams were connected to government disaster relief organisations
to synchronise the operation and enhanced the government disaster relief.

The CRSA says that this time hams joined Non Government Organisations such
as Red Cross Society of China, China charity federation, volunteer rescue
team, The One Foundation to get financial and facilities support to perform
the task.

All amateur radio teams brought relief supplies such as clothes, tents, medicine,
food and lighting to the disaster area, and one team brought AM/FM radio
to the area to help get information from outside.

With rich experiences gained by 2008 Sichuan earthquake, the Sichuan amateur
radio rescue team arrived in Yushu very quickly, and set up a 70cm repeater
to help communication and coordinate all amateur radio operators coming into
the area. HF was also used during the disaster relief and mainly on the 40m
band.

They gained good experience in the rescue. Due to high altitude, one generator
did not work, one of the Beijing team had to reduce their communication power.


The Sichuan team has an operator who can speak local language, that greatly
helped in disaster relief.

Now, all of the amateur radio heros have returned to their daily life, we
will never forget their contributions in the disaster relief.

(Report provided by Fan Bin BA1RB, CRSA Coordinator IARU Region 3 Disaster
Communications Committee and Chairman Jim Linton VK3PC)