Saturday, January 01, 2005

The Tsunami - Aftermath

Singapore is lucky.
We are really very lucky. We have the wonderful malaysian peninsula and the sumatra islands to shelther us... a shelther that many take for granted... too much for granted already. It dawned upon me before that Singaporeans are too taken care of... but the Tsunami's aftermath showed and proved that it can only be too true... it is impossible to imagine that we are so called refined and maybe the most developed of nations in the region - developed in knowledge and in "aptitude", and many aspects.

Have you wondered if Singapore was really affected? We could have been submerged totally by the waves... like in some parts of India. This is a biting reality. But yet... many of us seem as if the disaster was too distant to be felt... why?

We ask why there is a cancellation of live telecasts of the count down?
Why there is a stop to the fireworks?
Why there is so much "hoo-hah" over giving a helping hand to the people in the affected countries?

But have we thought what it would be if we are the affected people? Have we thought how these people now feel - without friends, family... without a shelther... hoping for the best and yet knowing that it is just a mere fallacy. How some of these people are struggling to survive past the new year... as we might actually be partying away?
And have we thought of how our small actions would mean big things for the people there? A dollar in singapore cannot even get you a bottle of coke in Sentosa! But it can buy quite a far bit of mineral water for the victims... or contribute to medical supplies there... or even add to the coffers for buying body bags and coffins... sadly.

It was said that the countries have received a lot of supplies in terms of clothes and food stuff. True. And it was known that there is insufficient bodybags now to dispose the bodies. The carnage... devastation. Are the party-going people realising?

I'm not against partying the new year away... but please do remember that the efforts of many other Singaporeans and people from different parts of the world are trying to help the victims. Please remember to do your small part, whether it is a dollar of donation, helping to pack the materials, raising funds for the victims or even a simple forwarding of the plea for donations. All these trickle and culminate into a strong collaboration which might promise the hope for the victims. Please remember the people who are suffering, losing hope, crying... empathise!

The Tsunami might have washed away hope for many people... this is would be a moment of sorrow if we give a helping hand to the victims... but it would be a tragedy of mankind (a lost of love and care in the world) if we remain apathetic... emotionless.

A sincere appeal to everyone... Help... while we can!

dk scribbled
1:08 AM
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