Victims call China drought a human-caused disaster

By Lin Li & Feng Ming
Sound of Hope Radio Network The continued drought in Southwest China has affected more than 50 million people in the provinces of Yunnan, Guangxi, Sichuan, Guizhou, and the city of Chongqing. Discontent over the artificial causes of the drought, sky-high food prices, and unsatisfactory disaster relief has increased. Meanwhile, the media continues to praise the relief efforts, to the annoyance of many. Mr. Mo from the city of Wuzhou in Guangxi Province believes the drought is a result of soil erosion caused by wasteful mining. “Some gold mine companies took over the mountains and emptied them inside out,” he said. “ Trees were uprooted, and there was nothing to hold the soil.” He contends the disaster is the result of man-made rather than natural causes, and relates it to a problem with the political system which allows collusion between the government and big business. “The peasants are furious,” he added. Mr. Mo said that the water shortage is very serious in his area, and the amount of water delivered by the authorities was not even close to being enough. There wasn’t even enough water for showers and laundry, let alone for farming. “There is a shortage of drinking water now which the authorities have not been able to resolve. They delivered tap water from the city once every few days. We have to wait in line in order to get a very limited amount. Domestic water shortage is a problem now, let alone water for farming. I have never seen such a serious drought before.”
It is reported that the drought has driven up food prices in Yunnan Province with the price of vegetables soaring 39 percent. The price index in Kunming, the capital, ranked third-highest among all provincial capitals in January and February. A resident in Fuyuan County of Yunnan Province said, “The authorities did not provide any compensation to the drought victims. The cracks in the field are huge—even wild herbs cannot survive.” Another resident said, “Farmers had to sell their cattle cheaply because they have no water to raise them.” …

Victims Call China’s Drought a Man-Made Disaster