China's emergency response system swung into action on Tuesday to send rescue workers and provide aid in the wake of the magnitude 6.2 earthquake that struck northwestern China late Monday, killing at least 100 people and injuring more than 700.
The national mobilization took place swiftly after an instruction was issued in the early hours of the morning by President Xi Jinping, calling for all-out search and rescue efforts, proper arrangements for those affected and further efforts to prevent secondary disasters.
The quake severely damaged houses and roads, and knocked out power and communication lines, according to provincial officials. As of press time on Tuesday, the death toll in Gansu was 113. Thirteen others were confirmed dead in Qinghai, in an area north of the epicenter.
Following the magnitude-6.2 earthquake in Gansu province's Linxia Hui autonomous prefecture, assistance has been pouring in. All supplies are being transported, received and distributed by the quake relief headquarters, ensuring that the basic needs of the affected population are met, officials said at a news conference on Thursday.
Medical institutions opened special channels to ensure that mildly injured people would receive treatment nearby. Those more seriously injured were quickly transferred to provincial- and prefecture-level hospitals, where experts designed treatment plans for each of them.
The allocation of supplies is based on the specific needs of affected towns and villages. Priority is given to heavily impacted areas and vulnerable populations.
Efforts are being made to streamline the distribution process, with detailed plans and dedicated personnel facilitating the swift delivery of supplies to affected people.
