Green solidarity program for post-earthquake reconstruction in Sichuan

On May 12, 2008, an earthquake measuring 8 on the Richter scale hit the provinces of Sichuan, Gansu and Shaanxi, leaving 69,000 people dead, 18,000 missing and some 380,000 injured. The earthquake, which came with several strong aftershocks, left millions of people homeless, destroyed or damaged 5 million homes and caused direct economic loss of some CNY 1,000 billion (€115 billion).

The program supported by AFD focused on the cities of Chengdu (Bailu Village and Dayi District) and Deyang (districts of Jingyang, Guanghan, Zhongjiang and Luojiang). It covered two key areas:

• Rehabilitation of water and sanitation networks, waste treatment plants and roads;

• Development of the biogas sector in the province with the construction of over 100,000 biodigesters, with support from a French NGO.

AFD provided technical assistance in the reconstruction of sustainable rural homes and the adaptation of public policies in this area. It financed the creation of an “Educational Guide for the Construction of Rural Homes”, which focuses on anti- earthquake standards and energy efficiency. The guide was produced by a team of Franco-Chinese experts, in partnership with the Ministry for Housing and Urban- Rural Development (MOHURD) and Sichuan Construction Commission. Over 100,000 copies were distributed nationwide. It was also used to train 1,000 local decision-makers and local technicians.

• The program helped to restore the living conditions of residents in areas affected by the earthquake within a short time frame through the rapid reconstruction of basic infrastructure.

• It also helped to combat climate change by introducing clean energy sources in rural homes.