(China Daily)
Updated: 2008-05-15 07:11

Liu Zhaoyi was a bit short of breath as he climbed the stairs to the Jiuzhou Stadium in Mianyang, Sichuan province, yesterday, carrying a box of yogurt.

The 67-year-old had spent more than 1,000 yuan ($140) on food and other daily necessities as he led his team - seven family members - to the stadium to distribute the food to some of the more than 10,000 people taking shelter.

"They must have suffered a lot," Liu said. "We will try our best to help them."

The Lius are not the only ones offering help.

Premier Wen Jiabao visited the stadium on Tuesday to comfort the victims from Beichuan, Pingwu and Anxian, the worst-hit areas surrounding Mianyang.

Outside the stadium piles of cotton quilts and clothing were stacked high, all donated by the local residents.

In the stadium, people were lying or sitting on mattresses greeted by visitors offering words of encouragement and sympathy.

Wang Liu and Han Na, two 16-year-old students, distributed snacks to the children, trying to cheer them up.

More than 1,000 volunteers are taking care of people there.

Up till yesterday afternoon, 20,000 people had been sent to four shelters.

Mianyang city's Nanhe Sports Center will also be used as more people arrive.

The city's economic loss is expected to exceed 60 billion yuan ($8.57 billion).

China Daily