TIMELINE
INCIDENT COMMENTARY
HUMAN DYNAMIC CISM RESPONSE

May 12, 2008

An earthquake measuring 7.9 on the Richter scale hit the south-western Chinese province of Sichuan at 2:28 p.m., killing at least 10,000 people. Areas affected include Sichuan, Chengdu, Wenchuan, Beichuan, Yingxiu, Dujiangyan, Mianyang, Mianzhu, and Shifang.

•

Human Dynamic’s Team on high alert and preparing for Crisis Management work for customers who have hundreds to thousands of staff working in Chengdu and other affected areas.

May 14, 2008

The quake’s lingering effects complicate rescue efforts. The area experienced numerous aftershocks from the quake, some of which have registered over 6 on the Richter scale. The quake’s power and location only 19 km below the earth’s surface caused ruptures and faults along an area stretching 150 km, largely to the northeast of the epicenter.

•

Human Dynamic in contact with key customers affected to lend support

•

Human Dynamic extends hotline support to assist clients in other major cities, including Guangzhou and Beijing.

•

Human Dynamic provides information sheets pertaining to the educational, psychological and coaching needs on the aftermath of the earthquake for our clients, available both in English and Chinese

•

 Account managers in close contact with:
• Existing EAP customers who have sites
   in Chengdu or Sichuan
• Existing EAP customers who have sites
   in other parts of China

•

Human Dynamic extends reach to corporate companies in China to manage the aftermath of the disaster.

May 15, 2008

Chinese troops and armed police begin to reach the most isolated areas, including the town of Wenchuan at the epicenter. Severe weather and damaged roads have prevented the transport of bulldozers and other heavy equipment.

•

Human Dynamic firms up deployment of Chinese-speaking and local CISM teams to Chengdu to support customers and their employees in the following areas:

 
1.
 To train HR and OH staff of our customers to do counseling and crisis management
2.

To train employees of customer companies who have volunteered to help in the disaster areas
3.

To conduct CISD sessions for some groups who are shocked and impacted by the earthquake
4.

To provide onsite counseling support to the employees at different sites and premises of our customers
5.

To provide psychological first aid talks to those who were not in the disaster zone but have been affected by the news and undergoing survivor guilt
6.
 To provide psychological first aid to those who were not in the disaster zone but had friends and family in the Sichuan area

May 16-18, 2008

Rescue efforts are often proceeding with hand tools for lack of heavy machinery, which in any case cannot reach many of the worst-hit areas due to narrow mountain roads being blocked by landslides. Paratroopers are being dropped into some of these accessible regions.

Smaller earthquakes continue to shake the area. A tremor in Sichuan’s Lixian County registered 5.9 on the Richter scale caused further landslides, building collapses, and road blockages, and hampered telecommunications by knocking out more cell phone transmission towers.

•

There is a huge need and demand for onsite counseling and crisis incident stress debriefing across corporate companies

•

Fact sheets and educational information for customers are made available online on Human Dynamic’s website in both English and Chinese

•

Human Dynamic announces the extension of hotline services throughout the weekend to ensure availability of continued support

May 19, 2008

Russia, Japan, Singapore and South Korea, as well as Taiwan and Hong Kong, send small rescue teams.

The Chinese government announces three days of mourning from 19 May, with three minutes of silence at 2.28pm on 19 May

•

Human Dynamic’s CISM Team 1 arrives in Chengdu in the midst of public panic, after the government warns of a major aftershock.

•

Human Dynamic continues to deliver Debriefing sessions and support to the impacted staff from corporate clients

•

Human Dynamic sets up and maintains a CISM Service Centre in Chengdu to support China companies and MNCs.

May 21-22, 2008

The local government rescinds the major earthquake warning. 

•

Human Dynamic pulls together more resources and deploys Chinese-speaking consultants for crisis management work in Chengdu

May 23-25, 2008

Areas affected by the earthquake have now been sealed and no entry is allowed.  The survivors depart for safety in Chengdu.

The search for buried survivors is being scaled down. Most of the rescue teams and troops have begun to leave the affected areas. Landslides and quake debris have blocked rivers and streams, creating 34 unstable “barrier lakes”. These lakes could burst their artificial barriers, unleashing devastating floods on downstream communities in the upcoming rainy season. Villagers continue to be evacuated for safety reasons.

•

Human Dynamic’s CISM team 2 arrives in Chengdu

•

Human Dynamic prepares for Chengdu Crisis Care Center to be operational on 26 May using a temporary office. Follow-up crisis care measures are being discussed and put in place to ensure that customers’ employees continue to receive ample care and support throughout the coming months.