"The people's sense of resilience was incredible, they had the determination to start all over again and return to every-day life," he said.

The Italian advanced medical unit was directed by Paolo Vaccari, another officer of the Civil Protection. The unit examined the patients who would then be transported to the nearest hospital if their conditions were serious.

"In Chengdu we distributed some 240 tents, most of which were used as school classrooms for the children," said Vaccari. "After a week from the terrible calamity, pupils and their parents were able to return to almost ordinary life."

Besides the injured, the Italian doctors also took care of those who suffered severe psychological traumas.

"What impressed me most was the dimension of the disaster and the logistic machine put in place by the authorities," he said. "Extraordinary team-work was carried out by civilians, soldiers and volunteers."

"Despite the level of devastation, the people remained calm and serene," Vaccari told Xinhua.

(Xinhua News Agency May 8, 2009)