Gavin, 6 January 05
The earthquake and tsunami have shown human nature for it’s true worth. Individuals wishing there was any way to put things right and help those in need, shaming governments into matching donations dollar for dollar. Most want those affected to have whatever they need. Governments though prefer to remain quiet about debt relief for the affected areas.
While awed at the spectacular nature of the death and destruction, it is also worth bearing in mind that every week a similar number of people around the world are dying through war, hunger or from preventable disease. This might not be accompanied by dramatic footage and is often forgotten.
Médecins Sans Frontières have suspended collections for the Tsunami Appeal but continue to request much needed support for other relief efforts around the world.
It’s not just nature in it’s rawest forms capable of inflicting death on this scale – human action and greed make for the biggest death tolls. But the generosity and compassion shown by individuals in the last weeks reveal in the rawest form human nature is admirable despite the surrounding society geared to competition and self interest.
