Villagers wait for water sent by firemen at Lancha Village, Tianping Township of Xiji County, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, on August 14, 2009. The plague of serious droughts has been sweeping over Tianping Township in northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region for eight consecutive years. This year drought has continued today in the county. Firemen of the Ningxia fire control department sent water voluntarily for local people who have suffered from water shortages. [Xinhua]

Firemen supply water for local villagers at Lancha Village, Tianping Township of Xiji County, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, August 14, 2009. [Xinhua]