Tibetan Community in the Netherlands Concerned About Aid and Aftermath of Earthquake

amsterdam - Tibetan organizations in the Netherlands express worry about the earthquake in southern Tibet and its consequences.

Tibetan organizations in the Netherlands are deeply concerned about the earthquake in southern Tibet. According to Chinese state media, the earthquake that struck on Monday night has resulted in 95 deaths and over a hundred injuries. Tethong, whose father is originally from the affected region, highlighted the harsh conditions faced by the survivors as temperatures drop below -20 degrees. Reflecting on the 2010 earthquake in Tibet, Tethong criticized the delayed response of the Chinese government, noting that local residents initiated relief efforts independently as the official aid was not sufficient.

The International Campaign for Tibet, a European organization with a significant number of donors in the Netherlands, focuses on advocating for human rights in Tibet. Since China annexed Tibet in 1951, the region has been considered autonomous. Tethong mentioned the challenges of maintaining contact with family in Tibet, citing concerns over potential repercussions from the Chinese regime for communicating information deemed sensitive. Tibetan communities abroad rely on social media for updates from the region.

Norbu Chumatsang, the president of the Tibetan Community in the Netherlands, expressed skepticism towards the information provided by Chinese state media and highlighted the complexities of fundraising for the affected region due to uncertainties regarding the distribution of aid. Tethong confirmed that their organization will not launch a fundraising campaign for earthquake victims due to such uncertainties.

Tethong also voiced apprehension about the aftermath of the earthquake, recalling previous instances where residents were compelled to move from rural areas to urban centers post-earthquake. He emphasized concerns about government interest in mineral-rich lands previously inhabited by communities relatively independent from Chinese authority. Tethong expressed hopes that the current situation does not lead to a repeat of the events in 2010.