The 2008 Wenchuan Earthquake in Southwest People's Republic of China was so severe that some of the affected areas are still recovering today. This video shows how part of a $400 million ADB emergency assistance loan was used to rebuild roads, bridges and schools in Shaanxi Province.

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Title: Rebuilding PRC Schools after the Wenchuan Earthquake

Description: This video shows how part of a $400 million ADB emergency assistance loan for the 2008 Wenchuan Earthquake was used to rebuild roads, bridges and schools in Shaanxi Province.

VO: The 2008 Wenchuan Earthquake in southwest China was so severe that some areas are still recovering today. The Asian Development Bank together with the government and other international organization are rebuilding infrastructure and communities.

In 2009, ADB approved an emergency assistance loan of $400 million. $100 million of that fund was used for rebuilding roads, bridges and schools in Shaanxi Province. Today, life is back to normal in Heiheba. Wang Lan, a primary school student, is happy to have a new classroom. To prepare for possible disasters like earthquakes and fires, schools now carry out safety drills every semester.

SOT: Wang Lan
Student
Heiheba Primary School
On the signal, when the teacher blows the whistle 3 times, we will quickly go downstairs in an orderly manner.

VO: These practice drills help teachers and students stay alert for any signs of danger.

SOT: Gu Juanjun
Student
Mianxian 5th Middle School
I still will be scared if an earthquake happens again but not much. We regularly practice for evacuation and some survival skills.

VO: As a result of this project science laboratories, libraries, dormitories, and canteen facilities have all been upgraded. With the technical assistance grant, the project also develop handbook and safety guidelines for teachers and students. Training courses were also organize to improve survival skills.

SOT: Yan Caiqin
Teacher
Lue Yang 2nd Middle School
The most impressive thing we’ve learned is the role of participation as an active teaching method. This approach is to stimulate the students to actively explore for information and to work as a team. This approach significantly improves the effectiveness of the class.

SOT: Xiao Guangrui
Senior Project Officer
People’s Republic of China Resident Mission
Asian Development Bank
This project not only provided infrastructure like roads and schools to help people back to normal life soon after the earthquake but also help to improve teachers’ skills by providing training so that children can sit in the newly built larger and cleaner classrooms for better education. 

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