Global Chinese Ministries Newsletter - April 2008

Edited by Tony Lambert, OMF Director for China Research

The Great Cold

From mid-January until early February huge areas of China have been devastated by blizzards and constant snowfalls. In some areas, it was the worst winter weather for a century. At least 19 provinces and municipalities were affected in a vast swathe stretching from Xinjiang in the far west to Jiangxi in the southeast. Unusually, central and southern provinces such as Hunan, Guizhou, Guangxi and Yunnan, usually noted for their sub-tropical climate, were also badly hit.

The blizzards began in mid-January, destroying powerlines, blocking roads and railways and covering city streets with dangerous ice. According to a State Council press conference, by February 1, 60 people had been killed, 233,000 houses had collapsed and 860,000 other houses had been damaged. A bus plunged off an icy road in Guizhou killing 25 people. About 1.8 million people had to be evacuated. In Jiangxi and Guizhou, some cities were without power for more than three weeks. The emergency wards of hospitals have been filled with people with fractured limbs.

More than 100 million people have been affected by the disaster. Roads to mountainous areas have been completely blocked causing serious hardship to many villages, but many cities suffered power failures and water shortages. More than 100 tons of candles were transported by air to many southern cities. “The temperature is -2 or -3, and we’re sitting in the darkness with only candles to burn. They can’t fix the electricity grid until it stops snowing,” sighed a resident in one of the hardest hit areas of Guizhou (New York Times, 31 January 2008). A dozen brave electricians have perished while trying to reconnect lines or break the ice encasing poles and cables.

The crisis could not have happened at a worse time—just before Chinese New Year. Tens of millions of people were poised to travel home to visit their families by train and long-distance bus, but many were disappointed. In Guangzhou, there was chaos as some 800,000 people, mainly poor migrant workers, were stranded at the railway station. A migrant worker was trampled to death in the stampede. Train services were suspended for several days. Many formed what is believed to be the longest queue ever recorded anywhere in the world, desperate to board a train home.

The government eventually realized the seriousness of the situation and took measures to cope with the disaster. Premier Wen Jiabao and President Hu Jintao visited stricken southern cities and encouraged people to work together to overcome the problems.

About 1 million police and soldiers were deployed in the worst affected areas and in railway stations, to help those hit by the disaster but also to maintain order and control angry crowds. They brought in trucks full of blankets, food and diesel generators.

On the eve of New Year (February 6), the situation was improving and many trains running again. More than 2,000 mines remained open over the holiday period to restore coal reserves almost exhausted during the emergency.

The Year of the Rat will long be remembered for the “great cold.” However, although the full force of the blizzards has already passed, their dire effects may take much longer to dissipate. At least 140 million acres of crops have been destroyed. Prices for many basic foodstuffs were already increasing, but now prices of rice, vegetables and flour are rising even further, in some cases more than doubling, causing hardship to many poor people.

One vendor commented: “The electricity is back on now, but the problems certainly aren’t all over. Food is so expensive. We’re very poor and out of the way. Anything always takes a long time.”

(Our article is based on reports from Reuters, New York Times, Daily Telegraph.)

THE CHURCHES RESPOND

Christians across China have rallied to help those worst affected by the disaster. In Hunan, a Christian reported, “When the emergency happened, we asked Christians to give all the help they could with offerings as well as prayers. We distributed 100 blankets to people stranded at the railway stations and elderly people living alone.” Another leader said, “Snow seriously damaged the roof of our old church. Our farmers have lost their harvests. We pray the Lord will give us strength to overcome this trial with faith, hope and charity.”

In Guangdong province, churches made special efforts to help stranded migrant workers. Christians were asked to donate clothes and money for the needy.

Different churches across the country have already raised tens of thousands of RMB for disaster victims. In some cities Christians have visited hundreds of the worst hit homes, organizing relief work.

OMF’S RESPONSE

On February 4 OMF issued a public call for prayer for the people of China. Headed “Worst Snow Storms in 50 Years Hit China,” it stated:

This natural disaster of unprecedented proportion calls for a response from Christians worldwide. What can OMF and our network of concerned friends around the world do?
• We can pray:
1. For China’s millions who are suffering at this time.
2. For government leaders, that they will
- have wisdom in dealing with this national crisis.
- have compassion in serving the people.
- have courage to do so with integrity.
3. For churches and individual Christians, that they will
- serve hurting people around them.
- be salt and light in the midst of corruption and darkness.
- show their concern for society and love for the country.
4. For Christian factory owners from Hong Kong and overseas serving in China, that they will
- have compassion for their stranded migrant workers.
- join with government efforts to alleviate suffering.
- take this opportunity to share the love of Christ.
5. For Christian businessmen and professionals from overseas, that they will
- use every means at their disposal to serve hurting people.
- be a model and witness of Christian love and service.
• Consider giving to Christian organizations based in your country that are involved in disaster relief work in China.
• We can encourage Christian professionals to step forward and help address the long-term results of this horrendous natural disaster. The effects of this storm will be felt for months, if not years, to come.

Copyright 2008 OMF International