Impact of earthquake disaster on rural residents:a case study on Dayao County of Yunnan Province

M_s 6.2 and M_s 6.1 earthquakes occurred in Dayao County in Yunnan Province in July 21 and Oct.16,2003.The paper takes the Dayao County as an example to study the earthquake disaster impact on the rural residents,and to find out the risk awareness and the response of rural residents to the earthquakes.The analysis of investigation showed that the rural residents is the most casualties in the earthquake disaster and the most painful victim.They can get some experiences and lessons from the earthquake disaster and enhance their risk awareness,but because of the backward economy,the rural residents cannot basically change the vulnerability of the hazard affected-bodies.The improving capability of disaster prevention and reduction in China rural areas need the active participation of the government.