People in Crisis

Broken dreams, struggle for existence, loss of many a lives, no present and no hope of a future - the worsening humanitarian crisis around the world make me wonder if there ever will be a chance of heaven on earth as we read in books and pray for; or these suffering millions are doomed to an eternity of a life in hell on earth?

Year 2008 saw nature in its most devastating form when cyclone Nargis hit the country of Burma a few months back. This was followed by the high power, 7.9 magnitude earthquake – the largest to hit China in 3 decades. Both calamities left millions dead and homeless. The international community responded with much vigor since there was an urgent need for post disaster assistance and aid in both the countries. To worsen the situation, Burmese government blocked humanitarian access of most international groups to all suffering areas of the country and the death toll kept rising higher. Public health experts have predicted a likely epidemic of water-borne disease, such as cholera and E.coli, due to a lack of clean drinking water. Suffering with years of malnutrition and severe poverty throughout the country, fatality rates could reach up to 20 percent as a result of these diseases. Also, a large-scale child measles outbreak is likely to be the result of the congregation of large groups of people in the aftermath of the cyclone. Malaria and dengue fever outbreaks are also expected due to the large numbers of now homeless people living in close proximity to open water, says Chris Beyrer, MD, of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. With almost non- existent healthcare infrastructure, the hard-hit Burmese can have only little hope of receiving any degree of healthcare. A WHO report in year 2000 revealed that Burma is second to only Sierra Leone in having the lowest level of government investment in health infrastructure in the world. Whatever little international aid that has been allowed inside the country, much of it has been seized and filched by the ruling junta, according to UN reports. Additionally, the Burmese government did not even issue visas to humanitarian aid workers as a priority, making it even more and more difficult for rescue groups to assist the suffering families/individuals.

While the trauma of Burmese cyclone was still fresh in our minds, a high magnitude earthquake hit China. The aid workers in China with government and international support are still struggling to rehabilitate and provide for the quake hit families. The aftershocks, flooding, and landslides continue to frighten people and pose risks to relief operations. Groups are trying to provide critical shelter materials and other assistance to survivors, including tents, quilts, tarpaulins, and rice, but they are working under challenging conditions. China is one of the countries suffering from the most severe natural hazards all over the world. Although some great progress have been gained in natural hazard mitigation, the natural disasters bring on big economic loss, in average, natural disasters lead to a direct economic loss of considerable percentage of total GDP and death of thousands every year. China faces a serious situation in reducing natural hazard though now most cities in China are reported to be improving on information measures for disaster protection and reduction.

I have just finished doing a report on Sudan and cannot help but write a few lines about a devastated country that continues to face famine and extreme forms of human rights violation. There are thousands dying and millions are at risk of starvation. In fact, organizations like Human Rights Watch have reported that the continuing famine was caused and is being perpetuated by human rights abuses resulting from the civil war. The famine in 1998 was a catastrophe and even the international community failed to respond since the Sudanese government, militias and opposition forces looted supplies from the starving or blocked relief deliveries. The civil war continues and so also the gross violation of human rights.

I can continue to write about these people in crisis in every country around the world. And nothing of what I write would be an eye opener. It’s happening, it is being reported and is also talked about. There are groups/individuals from around the world giving out a helping hand – being there and helping recover these affected lives. And that’s tough! This is the spirit of giving and this truly is humanity in its most obvious form. Could anything else be more inspirational?