To date, more than 200 private cars belong to Mr. Liao's volunteer organization. Every day, all day and all night, they wait for tasks before the August 1 Torch Mansion in Mianyang City. They transport relief supplies and rescue personnel, register and schedule volunteer vehicles, and ensure the radio communication along their routes. Everything is efficient; everything operates well.
Taxi drivers in rescue work
A taxi driver surnamed Li has been working as a volunteer since May 12. Every day, he drove between various disaster areas and Mianyang City, transporting people and supplies.
His family living in suburban Mianyang had also suffered from the disaster. In fact, all of his family members were living in a roadside tent.
Mr. Li is the only wage earner in the family of five members, earning 3,000 yuan (US$432) per month. In spite of that, on May 12 he purchased supplies worth over 3,000 yuan and sent them to needy people in nearby disaster areas.
When asked about any difficulties, he said, "Due to gas rationing in disaster areas, private vehicles such as mine may refuel for only less than 50 yuan. This measly amount of gasoline cannot support two round trips – if only I could drive more people!" After speaking Mr. Li took off again, carrying two people from disaster areas.
There are thousands of volunteer drivers like Mr. Li in Mianyang and other disaster areas. Many taxies in Mianyang are labeled "free transportation for disaster relief". Even people with motorcycles crowd around the entrance to disaster areas and ask passers-by earnestly where they want to go. These drivers explained, "Mountain roads are not easily accessible and in some places regular vehicles can't pass, but our motorcycles can."
Migrant workers fighting on the ruins
If the earthquake relief were a battlefield, the tumbledown ruins would be the frontlines. PLA officers and men, the armed police, firefighters, healthcare workers, and a large number of migrant workers from across the country all have struggled to save victims' lives.