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Wes Normington teaches locals how to use the Trekker Water Purification System
Amir Azimi
May 28 , 2008
Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China
GlobalMedic's Rapid Response Team based in Chengdu, China, is continuing to install mobile water purification units in the areas most affected by the earthquake that hit southwest China on May 12 th , 2008.
On May 28 th , 2008, GlobalMedic installed two Trekker Water Purification Units in An Xian County, some 70 km from the epicenter of the earthquake. Members of the An Xian Water Bureau were trained on the operation of the Trekkers, which have the capacity to provide over 3,000 people per day with clean drinking water.
GlobalMedic, in partnership with the Sichuan Province Water Bureau, will be operating a Nomad Water Purification Unit in the town of Luo Shui . Luo Shui was devastated as it is located along the mountain range that runs along the fault line of the earthquake. The town is currently the home of 6,000 and will serve as the site for government issued temporary shelters, which will increase the number of residents to nearly 15,000.
May 27 , 2008
Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China
GlobalMedic's Rapid Response Team based in Chengdu, China, is continuing to install mobile water purification units in the areas most affected by the earthquake that hit southwest China on May 12 th , 2008.
On May 27 th , the GlobalMedic team trained members of the local water bureau in Mianziu on the operation of the Trekker Water Purification Unit and installed four in the district. The team installed a Trekker in the town of Dong Bei which is located some 20 km from the epicenter of the earthquake. The majority of the homes have collapsed and 168 people lost their life in the town of 3,500. The wells in the town are all contaminated and most are residing in tents issued by the Chinese army. With no access to clean drinking water, the Trekkers will deter water-borne disease in the town.
GlobalMedic also delivered 200,000 Aquatab Water Purification Tablets to the district. The tablets will be utilized to provide clean water and de-contaminate personal water containers. One tablet purifies 1 litre of water.
In addition to installing Trekker Water Purification Units, the team will be operating a Nomad Water Purification Unit which can purify 100 litres of water per minute. Possible sites have been sourced in close proximity to the epicenter of the earthquake and will be operational by the end of the week.
May 26, 2008
Chengdu , Sichuan Province , China
GlobalMedic has responded to the Sichuan earthquake and has set up a base of operations in Chengdu , Sichuan . The team has partnered with the Sichuan Water Conservation Bureau to provide clean drinking water to those affected by the earthquake that occurred on May 12 th , 2008.
On May 26 th , GlobalMedic surveyed IDP camps in the town of Nan Quan , located 80 km north of Chengdu . The team installed a Trekker Water Purification Unit in the Nan Quan Primary School , which is the temporary shelter for 1,500 internally displaced people. Until the Trekker was installed, the primary source of drinking water for the people was a nearby river. The team also installed a Trekker in the Nan Quan Junior School , which is temporarily housing 2,000 people. The Trekker Units will provide enough water to meet the emergency needs of both populations. GlobalMedic team members trained local community leaders on the operation of the units, who will also oversee the water distribution. In addition, GlobalMedic delivered 50,000 Aquatabs to the shelters. The surrounding area is home to tens of thousands of people who have been affected by the earthquake.
[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]
A mother holds a photo of her son during a quiet protest outside the government office in Mianzhu, Sichuan province, June 1, 2008. Parents of students from Fuxing Primary School gathered ...