On January 7, 2026, as the first rays of sunlight illuminated newly rebuilt villages in Dingri County, Xigaze City, Xizang—areas devastated by the 6.8-magnitude earthquake—one year had elapsed since the disaster. On land once ravaged by seismic destruction, new life is quietly beginning to take root.

In Qulho Township, Dingri County, reconstruction efforts are serving as a key driver of economic growth. “Our township has a population of over 3,400. The per capita income reached 18,000 yuan in 2024 and is projected to surpass 21,000 yuan in 2025,” said Tenzin Chogyal, Party Secretary of the township, outlining the transformations brought about by the reconstruction initiative—ranging from debris removal and the establishment of temporary livestock enclosures to villagers’ participation in rebuilding projects and the introduction of agricultural and pastoral trusteeship services. As a result, residents have gained access to employment opportunities within the township, enabling them to work close to home. In addition to labor employment, during the post-disaster reconstruction period, more than 70 trucks and over 20 excavators across the entire township—through centralized scheduling and coordinated dispatching—have collectively completed tens of thousands of trips, generating household income ranging from 100,000 to 200,000 yuan.

Tenzin Gyalpo is among the beneficiaries of the post-disaster reconstruction initiative, which employs labor-based relief as a key strategy. Previously engaged in transportation operations at Zham Port, this individual partnered with his younger brother in 2025 to invest 640,000 yuan in excavators and heavy-duty trucks, seizing new economic opportunities at the reconstruction site in his hometown. “Compared to 2024, my income doubled in 2025, increasing by over 200,000 yuan,” he said. Due to the size of his family, they were allocated the largest newly constructed house in the village, covering 280 square meters. Standing in the brand-new courtyard, his New Year’s wish is both simple and heartfelt: “I hope to build a sunshade for our new home this year, so that my family can live more comfortably in our new home.”

Tenzin Gyalpo is cleaning his new vehicle in front of his new home.