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January 24, 2005

Tsunami Impact: In relief camps dignity sells for a pittance

Topics: Southeast Asia Earthquake and Tsunami

The title of this article is misleading because it's not really a story about dignity, but one of the reality of the human condition in the relief camps and the desperate stuggle for day to day survival among the inhabitants that have to try to scratch out a life on the day at hand. The tomorrows will just have to wait their turn for worrying, because the todays are about all they can handle at one time.

You will need to read through most if not all of the article to really get the gist of the story.

-the Age(Australia)
In the monsoonal quagmires of the relief camps, the price of dignity turns out to be $3. It is a sad and chastening reality to confront, especially when dignity is all that these unfortunate people have left to lose.

There are an estimated 300,000 Acehnese in more than 250 internally displaced persons camps and their circumstances are wretched. But they are alive, and the will to survive is such a powerful force that they have suppressed the pain of their sorrows and are grateful for the meagre blessings of the day, full of hope for an uncertain future.

In a shelter of salvaged wood covered with plastic body bags are 12-year-old orphaned twins Syahrul and Rahma. "I will look after my sister," Syahrul said with a fierce determination that masked many fears. Tears clouded his eyes, but he refused to release them.

Anisa, a two-year-old girl, survived four days and nights in the open without any protection except the bodies of her parents. Yet she is fat and jolly with huge black eyes and a silly, trusting smile.
Continue reading...

Posted by Hyscience at January 24, 2005 8:05 PM

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