Doubtless, people all over the world are now aware of the vast tsunami that resulted from massive 9.0 level earthquakes that shook the southwestern coasts of Indonesia. The awesome waves from the tsunami reached all the way to the eastern coasts of Madagascar and Somalia, a distance of more than 3.000 miles. The death toll, initially estimated at 13,000, climed to 22,500 by this morning and now the numbers are up to 33,000. The final estimate will probably be somewhere around 60,000 or more. That does not include those who may die from disease outbreaks like malaria, typhoid, dysentery, and other ailments that will result from human corpses decomposing. Also, others will suffer from a general lack of adequate medical care, food, water and so forth.
Much has been made of the news in Thailand, particularly Phuket. When I first visited Phuket when I worked in China, the furthest thing in my mind was that anything such as a massive tsunami would ever hit these islands. Everyone knows that there is a rainy season from June to early October, but nobody ever expected something like this. One of the attractions of visiting Thailand (and for that matter Malaysia) was this general perception that the country generally didn't have storms or hurricanes like the islands in the Caribbean. One needs to remember that all of these countries are poor. Hence no early warning systems or storm walls though that may change after this.
Again, the last thing on my mind was that some massive storm would hit that strip of paradise. I met a Thai woman who sold me some CD's and DVD's while I was walking about one morning. There is no doubt in my mind that her businesses (she had three small businesses) were all wiped out by the storm.
One tragic story out of many was that King Bhumibhol's (the King of Thailand) 21 year old grandson was killed during the storm. He was riding a jet ski out on the water when the storm hit. Nature, unlike the political classes, does not discriminate when it comes to picking out victims. Neither social class, high powered prestiegous jobs, nor money count for anything when Nature shows her wrath.
As always, governments screw things up just when they need to get out of the way. I was just watching CNN tell a story of charities which are having to get through all of the red tape in India to give assistance. Apparently, the Indian government has passed a law that requires that if certain foreign drugs are to be sold or distributed, one needs a license to do so. So, any medical drugs coming into the country are going to require permits just to dispense the drugs. This is the case even if the drugs coming in are to be given out in the name of charity. God bless...
Ciao for now, and don't forget to give blood, money, or supplies to charities who will be helping victims.
TMW
Posted by The Mighty Wizard at December 28, 2004 08:18 PM