Written by: Kheyal (kheyal_ak@hotmail.com)
Breaking the silence By Kheyal Azam Khalil The Asian Tsunami has resulted in the loss of more than 200, 000 lives and the death toll in increasing by every passing day. This natural catastrophe is shocking for the entire world and has thus evoked global concern. As the world ‘moves on’ and is already forgetting all about it, they leave a heavy job on the shoulders of the UNICEF and other relief organisations. The awareness about this issue has reached virtually every one and certainly the youth is no exception. As a matter of fact, the students being reactive and stimulated have much more to say than they would usually actually speak out. Hence I take this opportunity to voice their opinion about this natural disaster. For the stated purpose, a small survey was carried out in a school inquiring them about their response to this issue. The feed back was not overwhelming, though those who did participate came out to be sincerely concerned and felt sympathetic towards the Tsunami victims. On the contrary, all of them seemed rather disappointed at their own helplessness to contribute towards this cause. Some were dismayed to the extent of being put off as a seventeen year old girl wrote, ‘I listen to the news reported everyday, sitting in my lounge, hearing my parents talk about how many people have been victim to this tragedy. Then I think over it, pity frail humans and forget and move on.’ Furthermore, they showed a considerable disapproval for the way things are being tackled by the ‘adults’. One stated, ‘I feel sympathetic towards the fate of the Tsunami victims, but I realise that they do not need sympathy, they need help. As a student, there’s not much I can do. . .” Many hinted that the people in charge of handling this situation were doing their job in a dissatisfactory fashion. One suggested, ‘I am of the opinion that if the media wants it can easily pile up aid. Instead of collecting funds from concerts and shows, a deplorable condition of the victims and serious criticism on the face of the public for neglecting the sufferers might stir some conscience.’ Another question that was a part of the survey asked them about those unfeeling who have known to be preventing the aid from reaching the sufferers. A general response was of not taking heed of this and continuation of help to the Tsunami victims. Some also offered ways to prevent this by eliminating such bogus aid collectors with the support of the government. Other suggestions also included hunting down these ‘obstacles’ and in fact whipping them for this terrible behaviour! The survey was concluded with a question asking measures to make the world a safer place at individual level keeping in mind their age group. The following are some of the replies: Huma, 17: I would throw all the litter in the dustbin from now on. That’s all we poor third world nations can do! We don’t have big machines to detect Tsunami and stuff, all we can do is . . . Salman, 17: This question would have been easier to answer if the parameters of my power had been defined. As a student all I can do in accordance to the present time and situation is to learn about safety: the ways to tackle with emergencies such as earthquakes, floods . . . etc. Also, convey this to people whenever I have an opputunity. But again the human is helpless to nature. . . Nabiha, 17: As far as natural disasters such as Tsunami is concerned, I don’t think anything can be done. Though I did learn from a TV documentary that 50 per cent of the damage done by Tsunami could have been prevented if mangrove forests in the disaster-hit coastal areas hadn’t been destroyed for commercial use. Ayesha, 17: With regard to natural calamities, nothing much can be done except to predict and subsequently minimise the after-effects. I would personally encourage those under my influence to donate towards and contribute in any possible way to research. Salman, 16: I am seeking information about different natural disasters and how to react in such situations. I intend to pass on this knowledge to the people I know so that they could too become aware. Sehrish, 17: Generally speaking, I guess, all I could do is to make myself a better person, and spread the same message around. It would certainly make the world a better and safer place. As far as natural disasters are concerned, I’m afraid there’s nothing I can do except maybe . . . pray!