Based on this contribution, the UN system in China, coordinated by the UN Disaster Management Team, took immediate action. UN supplies are pouring in the quake-affected areas: about 12,000 tents have reached people who urgently need them, emergency health kits capable of treating as many as 130,000 people for up to one month have been rushed into the quake-affected areas. More food, medicines, water, and sanitation materials are on their way.

We are all deeply aware of the catastrophic impact of this disaster on children and women. Efforts are underway to ensure that schools can resume as soon as possible, and a team of experts has been dispatched to Sichuan to provide assessment and offer psycho-social support to the large number of children who have suffered emotional trauma.

As the rescue phase reaches an end, it is already clear to all of us that this tragedy will need attention for many months, if not years, to come. Improving shelter, ensuring access to safe water and sanitation as well as healthcare efforts will have to be sustained. There is a very big task ahead.

Delivery of tents has clearly been identified as an immediate priority. We can already see the tent cities that are being established to provide temporary shelter to the over 5 million people who have lost their homes. Farmers living in the devastated villages will need assistance in sustaining their livelihoods. Children will have to be re-united with their families.