Xinhua Headlines: Swift decisions, concrete actions power smooth progress of Xizang quake relief

* Local authorities and rescue teams are busy erecting makeshift houses, allowing displaced residents to move from tents to more earthquake-resistant housing.

* The swift decisions made by China's top leadership to mobilize all resources to save lives and support post-disaster recovery are driving the effective relief efforts.

* Monasteries and monks have actively contributed to relief efforts, offering both material and spiritual support to those affected by the disaster.

LHASA, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- Work is proceeding smoothly to handle the aftermath of a 6.8-magnitude earthquake that hit southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region earlier this week.

The strong earthquake struck Dingri County in the city of Xigaze on Tuesday morning, leaving 126 people dead and hundreds injured. More than 3,600 rural houses were toppled.

After the conclusion of the search for victims, the focus of rescue efforts has shifted to relocation of affected villagers and post-disaster reconstruction, local authorities said.

Within days, 224 relocation sites have been set up in affected areas, accommodating 47,500 people, while 12,730 tents have been erected and 12,043 heating facilities have been installed.

Currently, local authorities and rescue teams are busy erecting makeshift houses, allowing displaced residents to move from tents to more earthquake-resistant housing.

The swift decisions made by China's top leadership to mobilize all resources to save lives and support post-disaster recovery are driving the effective relief efforts.

Shortly after the earthquake struck Dingri, President Xi Jinping made an important instruction, demanding utmost search and rescue and medical treatment efforts.

On Thursday, Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, presided over a meeting of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee to study and arrange quake relief.

Party members, officials and the public have united in their efforts, with rescue teams including the national comprehensive fire and rescue team, the People's Liberation Army, the armed police, and state-owned enterprises all playing critical roles.

PEOPLE ALWAYS COME FIRST

In Tuesday's instruction, Xi ordered all-out efforts to save lives and minimize casualties, and urged actions to prevent secondary disasters, properly resettle affected residents, and handle the aftermath effectively.

It is essential to strengthen earthquake monitoring and early warning, promptly allocate disaster relief supplies, expedite the repair of damaged infrastructure, ensure the basic needs of residents are met, and guarantee a safe and warm winter for all, he said.

At Thursday's meeting chaired by Xi, it was stressed that "wholehearted work must be done to ensure the basic living conditions of the affected residents, make good arrangements for their temporary and transitional-period settlement, and ensure they stay warm in the winter."

The National Development and Reform Commission has allocated 100 million yuan (about 13.9 million U.S. dollars) to support post-disaster emergency recovery. A total of 100 million yuan was allocated by the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Emergency Management to support relief efforts.

China's commerce departments are acting to ensure the supply of daily necessities for the affected residents.

Soldiers and militia members are also working on the front line. On Thursday alone, they set up 496 tents, provided over 17,000 hot meals, and conducted 5,124 medical consultations.

POST-DISASTER RECONSTRUCTION

In Gurum Village, Chamco Township, one of the hardest-hit towns, two relocation sites have been set up, providing power, food and heating for over 200 villagers.

By Thursday, 51 makeshift homes had been completed, with another 21 expected to be finished on Friday, according to Puncog Yanggim, a local official. Folding beds, gas stoves, heaters, daily necessities and personal belongings will soon be moved into the new houses.

Watching the construction of the houses, villager Zhoima Cering, expressed her gratitude. "We quickly received various supplies after the earthquake. We didn't expect to move into the makeshift houses so soon."

In Sangka Village, construction of 190 makeshift houses is underway. Over 600 villagers are expected to move from tents to these shelters in the coming days.

A total of 1,653 aftershocks had been detected as of 10 a.m. Friday, according to the regional earthquake bureau.

Dingri, home to the northern base camp of Mount Qomolangma, the world's highest peak, reported that no obvious icefalls, avalanches or geological changes were observed.

HELPING HAND FROM MONASTERIES

Monasteries and monks have actively contributed to relief efforts, offering both material and spiritual support to those affected by the disaster.

The sky burial site at Drigung Til Monastery in Lhasa has witnessed an increase in families from Xigaze bringing loved ones who passed away in the quake. The monastery has provided free lodging and meals for these families while organizing donations to assist survivors.

Tibetans continue to honor ancient traditions, such as sky burials, reflecting a deep reverence for the timeless cycles of life and death.

Jigme, a monk from Sakya Monastery, traveled about 100 km with his fellow monks to assist in Chamco Township on Thursday.

In Tibetan funeral customs, prayers and blessings are essential before burial. "Several villages in the township lost members of the community in the earthquake, and the local monks here are undoubtedly insufficient to handle the needs. So, we came to help," Jigme said.  ■