Medical, psychological and material assistance

Medical professionals, equipment and materials were badly needed in the aftermath of the disaster in Haiti, which was listed as one of the most underdeveloped nations in the world.

A team of 15 doctors were among the first batch of Chinese rescuers, and they set up a medical treatment center in front of the Haitian prime minister's residence on the next day of their arrival in Haiti. On Jan. 25, the second batch of Chinese doctors arrived in Haiti.

While the Chinese doctors were sympathetic to their Haitian patients' physical suffering, they were also aware of the pressing necessity for psychological counseling among victims. The language barrier was easily surmounted with a pamphlet of psychological guidance being translated into French for circulation.

For a lot of Haitian victims, reading the pamphlet was the first psychological help they received after days of trauma caused by the loss of homes and family members.

Meanwhile, disaster-relief materials were assembled in China and transported to Haiti in the fastest possible way. As the first and second batches of foods, water and medicines have reached the Haitian people, the third batch is ready for delivery.

The UN Secretary-General praised the Chinese government and people's strong support and generous help for Haiti, saying that he was moved by the Chinese rescuers' courageous performance.

During a meeting on Sunday with Wang Shuping, head of the China Trade Development Office in Haiti, Haiti's President Rene Preval expressed his gratefulness for the Chinese rescue team and the medical assistance team, which, he said, played significant roles in the disaster-relief process.