By — Talea Miller Talea Miller Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/through-a-childs-lens-two-years-after-the-china-quake Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Through a Child’s Lens: Two Years After the China Quake World May 12, 2010 2:35 PM EDT On May 12, 2008, a 7.9-magnitude earthquake hit China’s Sichuan province, leaving more than 70,000 people dead and 18,000 missing. In an effort to document what life is like in the region now, the American Red Cross distributed 200 disposable cameras to students for a photo competition. Below are some of the winning images, with the students’ own commentary. Thousands of the earthquake victims were students crushed inside poorly built school buildings. China has made efforts to strengthen earthquake resistance in schools since 2008 but those efforts are still a work in progress, Zuo Ming, the disaster relief director at the Ministry of Civil Affairs told the New York Times last month. Since the quake, China has invested about $96.3 billion towards reconstruction in the region, including building homes and repairing or building schools. However the speed at which decision were made about the scale and plan for rebuilding has raised some concerns. A memorial was held for the victims Wednesday at the epicenter of the quake, in Wenchuan, China. The day is particularly significant for the families of the 18,000 people who remain listed as missing after the earthquake. According to Chinese law, families must wait two years for a missing relative to be registered as dead. We're not going anywhere. Stand up for truly independent, trusted news that you can count on! Donate now By — Talea Miller Talea Miller
On May 12, 2008, a 7.9-magnitude earthquake hit China’s Sichuan province, leaving more than 70,000 people dead and 18,000 missing. In an effort to document what life is like in the region now, the American Red Cross distributed 200 disposable cameras to students for a photo competition. Below are some of the winning images, with the students’ own commentary. Thousands of the earthquake victims were students crushed inside poorly built school buildings. China has made efforts to strengthen earthquake resistance in schools since 2008 but those efforts are still a work in progress, Zuo Ming, the disaster relief director at the Ministry of Civil Affairs told the New York Times last month. Since the quake, China has invested about $96.3 billion towards reconstruction in the region, including building homes and repairing or building schools. However the speed at which decision were made about the scale and plan for rebuilding has raised some concerns. A memorial was held for the victims Wednesday at the epicenter of the quake, in Wenchuan, China. The day is particularly significant for the families of the 18,000 people who remain listed as missing after the earthquake. According to Chinese law, families must wait two years for a missing relative to be registered as dead. We're not going anywhere. Stand up for truly independent, trusted news that you can count on! Donate now