Three years after the Sichuan earthquake, UK-based humanitarian organization Oxfam says its relief and rehabilitation projects have successfully helped the poorest of the local communities affected.

"We were concerned with the people in remote and impoverished regions affected by the earthquake, which don't attract much public attention," said Zhai Fan, who runs the Oxfam Hong Kong office in Chengdu, Sichuan Province. "Areas such as Wenchuan and Beichuan are more accessible to the public and, and thus it is easier for them to get financial support."

So Oxfam HK turned its attention to areas in those affected around the great region of Wenchuan earthquake, including Gansu and Shaanxi provinces. It began relief projects soon after the earthquake. Poverty is one of the main causes of the devastating after-effects of a disaster, with the poor communities suffering the most, according to the group. As of March, it has spent HK$122 million on emergency relief work in 172 impoverished areas, helping more than 800,000 people.

Most funds went to rebuilding of small infrastructures, such as roads, water systems and schools, which the local governments ignored in their restructuring programs.

"We succeeded in completing these projects by cooperating with the local government and people," Zhai said. "Basically, the projects we launched were the most needed in local communities."

Oxfam HK encouraged local government officials and villagers to form task forces to determine how best to distribute relief items. Participation helped make the project more sensitive to local practices and needs.

Zhai also pointed out the support provided by women. "We also valued gender equality," Zhai said. "The suggestions from women have had a positive effect on the earthquake relief process."

For example, women requested mosquito nets, mosquito coils, and other insect repellants, bringing attention to a major public health issue.

Oxfam HK says its work in the region is still not done. Now done with the first phase of relief efforts, the group is shifting its focus to assisting the affected groups restore their livelihoods, recover from psychological trauma and increase their disaster preparedness. Oxfam HK says this next phase will last two years.