The 2008 Sichuan earthquake in China caused tremendous damage, killing over 87,000 people. The Chinese government responded quickly, with the Premier visiting the disaster area within hours. However, the response could have been more organized and rescue efforts were delayed. While infrastructure was rebuilt and inspections increased, collapsed schools revealed issues. A 2013 earthquake in Sichuan caused less damage due to improved standards, though some new buildings still collapsed, highlighting ongoing challenges. Leaders must plan for disasters, take responsibility, and address issues to minimize future harm.

1. 2008 Sichuan Earthquake

2. Table of Contents
1. Introduction to Sichuan Earthquake
2. Comparison of 2008 and 2013 Sichuan
earthquake
3. Responses of Private Companies
and the Government
4. Summary and significance

3. <1>
Introduction to Sichuan Earthquake

4. What happened?
May 12th 2008
MS 7.9
Sichuan, China

5. Earthquake in numbers
87,150
Number of people killed and
missing
4,800,000
Number of people left homeless
7.9M
Strongest earthquake to hit china
since 1950
$137.5bn
Money spent on rebuilding the
affected areas

6. Government response
Quick response and well management
Welcomed relief assistance from other
countries
Rebuilt the town right afterwards

7. Arisen Problems
Many schools collapsed
Poor infrastructure ➡
Partly man-made disaster!?

8. <2>
Comparison of 2008 and 2013
Sichuan earthquake

9. Comparison of 2008 and 2013 Sichuan
earthquake
Year 2008 2013
Ms 7.9 7
Casualties
and
Missing
88,000 1,000
Foreign
supports
Accepted economical supports from
foreign countries
Refused the economical supports
from foreign countries

10. Why rebuilt buildings collapsed again?
Weak building standards
No experience on responding to
earthquake

11. <3>
Responses of Private Companies and
the Government

12. Responses of Private Companies and
the Government
Premier Wen entered the stricken area by
the day the earthquake occurred
However, Did not accept foreign
assistance until 72hours after the
earthquake

13. <4>
Summary and significance

14. Summary of the Chinese government responses
Good
1. Chinese Premier Wen went to disaster
area and displayed strong Leadership after
2 hours
2. The government allowed international
medical rescue teams to enter the disaster
area.
3. Although the media report were strictly
regulated, the overseas media were able to
access information freely.
4. The government began to check the
qualities of the buildings in Sichuan
Province.
Quick leadership
Opened and
cooperated
Correct information
Prevention

15. Summary of the Chinese government responses
Bad
1. The rescue army wasn’t sent as soon as
possible until the president was back from
abroad.
2. The government accepted everyone to
enter the disaster area but made
disordered.
3. Because the media report were strictly
regulated, people got their informations
from SNS.
4. The rebuilt buildings, which were
designed for shock resistance of an 8
magnitude earthquake, collapsed in Ya’an
earthquake in May,2013
Delayed response
No experience
Information regulated
Efficient but
unqualified

16. How the government act its leadership to
minimise damage after earthquake happened
The government should determine a single headquarters responsible for
command, control and coordination in emergency situation and centralise
the power to that single authority.
Encourage each citizen to be educated and trained in how to minimised
risks from earthquake-induced secondary effects.
All of the related agencies should formulate emergency plans and pass on
information regarding the emergency situation to the general public and
health professionals on a normal basis.
The government should check the problems and insufficiency after
disasters and make an improvement in the ability of anti-disaster.

17. What should a leader do when he face accident
problems?
Prepare for the accidents which may occur
Take the responsibility of the accident and make
a quick response
Make a plan and act organised
Face to mistake directly and release correct
information
Confirm that the recovery works are qualified

18. References
China launches massive rescue after Sichuan earthquake: http://www.peoplesworld.org/china-
launches-massive-rescue-after-sichuan-earthquake/
Wenchuan Earthquake Maps: http://www.maps-of-china.net/wenchuan-earthquake-map/
Sichuan 2008: Adisaster on an immense scale: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-
22398684
Sichuan 2008: Rebuilding lives after the earthquake: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-
22476520
Yuki Otani(2011). Comparison of two large earthquakes: the 2008 Sichuan earthquake and the
2011 East Japan earthquake
宮入興一,沓掛俊夫,宮沢哲男,樋口義治(2011). 「四川大震災の総合的研究」. 豊橋 : 愛知大学中
部地方産業研究所(2011.3)