December 29, 2004

• The Next UN Scandal

  
  

  And the local scandals we’ll never hear about

  
  

   

  
  

   

  
  

  As we begin to assess the scope of the horror that literally shook the whole world, those of us who are in a position to do so might consider beginning to put in place a method to monitor the true journey made of cash from billfold and government coffers to open hand.

  
  

   

  
  

  While certain within the UN have hinted that some peoples are not supplying enough monies via government taxation to the various UN relief programs, a thinking person might wonder why any money should be made available at all given the history of mismanagement only most recently evidenced in the still-burgeoning Oil-For-Food scandal, the largest international scandal in history, which now we have learned has been dwarfed by yet another scandal involving the simple smuggling operation run by Saddam Hussein, which bribed many on the UN security counsel with kickbacks for their silence.

  
  

   

  
  

  While the first round of this biblically-themed disaster may have been an earth-shattering quake followed by multiple and epoch tidal catastrophes, these represent only but the beginnings of woes for the local surviving populations of the several countries affected ff not mitigated by a truly noble and serious effort of some sort.

  
  

   

  
  

  What comes most notably next after the initial disasters is likely the horrific onset of disease brought on by the filth of rotting bodies from unfortunate souls, along with of course the dead dogs, birds, fish and other wildlife, along with the spilled fuels, chemicals and septic systems. This along with the salty seawater has contaminated much of the drinking water and food supply. The standing water adds to this the danger of serious illness due to mosquito-borne illnesses and disease transferred from corpse or sickly to the uninfected living via parasite. Dehydration and poor nutrition prior to and certainly after the disaster will leave many more prone to succumbing to such disease. There is also the possibly of long-term ecological and economic devastation from a likely mass fish-kill caused by the swiftly-rushing bulges of water as they rolled the five hundred or more miles from the epicenter of the earthquake to their terminus points, or the gardens and food-animals swept away by the water. If there will be anyone left to fish, hunt or garden, they may be unable to do so – at least for awhile.

  
  

   

  
  

  A longer term problem with rebuilding will be the drop in tourist revenue which will be in severe decline for at least the coming decade or so, until infrastructure can be rebuilt and traveler confidence can be restored. Part of this will only come after local governments include the creation of a tsunami early-warning system, such as the one in place in the pacific, along with sea walls and other safeguards. Of course the only silver lining to come out of this sudden and extended drop in tourism will be the likely steep decrease in the child-slave trade which will accompany it in the region.

  
  

   

  
  

  But clearly the present need is simply for food, clean water, clothing, antibiotics and electrolytes along with a place to put the dead and decaying (and perhaps the temporary relocation of survivors to a dryer area). If these are not quickly addressed, we will see that much-feared doubling of the death toll. And to see to it those in need receive the aid they must receive, there needs to be some manner to insure that local corruption and apathy among local authorities doesn’t help put the final nail in the coffin for many during this time. Sadly, such help has traditionally been tiered in favor of those with more important social standing in this part of the world, such as businessmen or tourists. Instead, we need to insure that aid is rendered to those first who are most greatly in need. A sad example of the above callousness comes from a friend who spent some time in Chiang Mai Thailand. He related a story of sitting near a river when suddenly a local man accidentally fell in who couldn’t swim. There were several police nearby, but they did nothing to save him and instead simply waited until the cries for help ceased and the struggling stopped to snag his lifeless body out of the water and away from sight.

  
  

   

  
  

  Add to that known element the more than usual UN bribe-taking and political quid pro quo and the those who survived the initial tsunami have many odds indeed to beat in order to survive the coming year. And we, the taxpayers have about the same odds of significant relief-per-UN dollar as you might have maneuvering a camel through the eye of a needle.

  
  

   

  
  

  I have little doubt and would be greatly surprised if this UN effort turns into anything but a huge kickback for the usual roundup of profiteers, along with local opportunists. And as I said, it would do honest entities well to monitor any intergovernmental relief efforts as closely as possible.

  
  

   

  
  

   At the same time, there are numerous worthwhile charities which have historically made much more efficient use of relief money with far less overhead – and far less politicizing – that are actively working in the regions hardest hit by Saturday’s tsunamis, and have been developing local community ties for many, many years.   

  
  

   

  
  

  One such organization is World Vision. It is an organization which works with local residents and officials with primary disaster relief as well as helping them learn how to rebuild their infrastructure. And unlike the UN, this group has a proven track record – one in which the money meets its target.

  
  

   

  
  

  And there is much to do. Regardless of the charity however, it is essential we contribute what we can to the organization of our choice because in the end, every little bit will help.

  
  

   

  
  

   

  
  

   

  
  

  UPDATE: Click here for the latest

  
  

   

  
  

   

  
  

   

  
  

  

  
  

   

  
  

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  • 1:54 am
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