|
|
|
  |
| Sunday, 9 January 2005 |
 |
|
 |
Features |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
|
Tsunami and man-made focus Solemn Thoughts by Wendell Solomons The tsunami left in its wake huge disaster zones in Asia and swept further on to hit ocean-coast Africa. To render help in the emergency means that donor nations must speedily tackle massive and unprecedented needs. On the spot in Sri Lanka, volunteers rushed in to help the displaced. However, the magnitude of disaster necessitates help from donor nations. Let us consider the practical situation of a donor nation by taking one example. (a) Germany has to avoid duplication and unmanageable resource pile-up in Sri Lanka by receiving information on aid that France and Russia are sending to Sri Lanka. With that information, Germany, on public, accountable money, could select what resources to despatch; (b) Germany has to requisition and collect resources locally and; (c) Germany has to ensure safe resource delivery to Sri Lanka's disaster zones. The saying goes, "If you live next to a graveyard you can't cry for everyone." A disaster-struck nation must organise for efficacy to help the families directly affected before governments are overwhelmed by logistics and before compassion fatigue sets in. Internationally, the role of the counterpart has been long established in project work. It avoids frustration through work at cross-purposes. Here's an experience. The multi-nation European Union had channelled funds for a development project in Sri Lanka through a Dutch group. The choice of a single nation by the EU made for easier work because the nuances of technology could be speedily discussed and analysed. I was a local counterpart chosen by the group and dealing with the single Dutch company made my work much easier. Consequently, my research uncovered a key that allowed the group to complete work six months ahead of the EU-scheduled time-span of 18 months. In the case of relief work, choosing a main, counterpart nation would save us logistical time. Perhaps an ideal counterpart group could be Japanese. This developed nation is one more attuned to Asian realities. It knows about relief work in the wake of tsunami (you will recollect that the word is loaned from Japan). That nation also knows about building up from the ground; it had to do that after World War 2. A remarkable second choice of counterpart could be Ireland. The erstwhile poor nation became in recent decades Europe's fastest growing economy. I t gained this ranking because in the attempt to defuse Northern Ireland's IRA-undermining of stocks and shares in the financial city of London, the Republic of Ireland was encouraged by Britain and USA to focus on fast-growing industry. Press reports say Sri Lankan Army soldiers have saved LTTE cadre from drowning. This also happens vice-versa. The self-help may indicate the relative superficial and man-made side of the present Sri Lankan divide. However, for the other part, the Press carries statements by the LTTE leadership that aid convoys to the north are being turned away on the road. The Press also records complaints being made by Eastern Sri Lankan communities that aid consignments sent to them are being trucked away for LTTE cadre. However worthy the motive may be, national amity cannot be achieved solely by the words in the media. The main solution is in the people. People must focus on a key future objective. Since so many homes have been washed away, (a) could inexpensive mass housing rapidly recreate lost neighbourliness if existing, Sri Lankan housing development suggests it? Next, (b) could another means of community transport be developed to reduce the mounting toll of costly, asphalt-borne traffic snarls? Let us now turn to the example of kibbutzim. They were borrowed from 19th Century communes of Russia so as to help new immigrants to the Middle East from European cities, to learn about the potential of drip-fed, high-value-added agriculture. |
|
| News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security
| Produced by Lake House |
