Safety for all

With the theme “Emergency Management and Safety for Everyone,” China observed its 17th National Disaster Prevention and Reduction Day on Monday, with this week designated as Disaster Awareness Week.

Established in 2009, May 12 commemorates the devastating 2008 Wenchuan earthquake in Sichuan Province. The day serves to raise public awareness about natural disasters while promoting prevention and relief measures.

In recent years, global warming has led to more frequent and intense natural disasters, including droughts, floods, typhoons, landslides, earthquakes, tsunamis, pest outbreaks, and forest fires.

This year, publicity campaigns and training activities have been conducted nationwide to enhance public awareness of disaster prevention and self-rescue techniques. Many schools have organized lectures and emergency drills for students.

Firefighters descend into the Yangtze River during an emergency drill in Luzhou, Sichuan Province on Monday. Photos by Xinhua

Firefighters demonstrate drone operations during an emergency drill for junior high school students in Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province on Monday.

Forest rangers in Shimian County, Sichuan Province carry out a cliffside rescue operation to retrieve “victims” at the foot of towering cliffs Monday.

Volunteers from the University of South China demonstrate CPR techniques to students in Hengyang City, Hunan Province on Saturday.

Firefighters conduct a water rescue drill in Nanyang, Henan Province on Monday.

A forest ranger and a rescue dog search for “trapped victims” during an earthquake drill in Shimian County, Sichuan on Monday.