Earthquake/Tsunami Relief

[Petra]

I'm sure you've all heard about the catastrophic earthquakes/tsunami that have been wreaking devastation upon Asia. 16,000+ dead and milllions more left sick, injured, homeless and penniless.

Please get in touch with reputable aid agencies and donate what you can. It doesn't have to be money. It can be blankets, clothing, tinned food, first aid supplies, etc.

http://www.reuters.co.uk/newsArticle...storyID=644840

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/4126241.stm

[Socratoad]

Thank you so very much for posting this appeal dear Luna. I've been feeling rather numb for hours as I have tried to absorb the immensity of this disaster, and yet I did nothing. I did not post regarding this horror as you have done. I feel ashamed being caught up in some trivial inanity or other that you have been fortunate enough to have missed while thinking about that which is truly important.

What now? seems like just a few short years ago I would have been one of those speeding to the scene to help. Alas I am no longer able. I have so damned little money, but after a few hours sleep, if possible, I shall find a way to show my solidarity with these frightened suffering unfortunate people.

There has got to be something I can do. I feel so damned helpless.

The tragedy is just so fresh. I fear worse is yet to come regarding numbers of people lost forever.

[Petra]

Originally Posted by Socratoad

I fear worse is yet to come regarding numbers of people lost forever.

Yup.

Even after the aftershocks stop these people will be at great risk of diseases from contaminated water, etc. The death toll will continue to climb.

But in all the reports of rising death tolls we must focus on the living. Their needs are urgent and their circumstances dire.

I don't have much to give, but I've sorted out two suitcases full of used clothing and another containing a spare duvet and a couple of spare blankets. I don't even know what local agency to pass them on to yet, but I'll find that out in the morning.


It all helps, even if just a little bit.

[Socratoad]

I mentioned this ongoing tragedy during a conversation with a certain Aussie here on the board several hours ago, hoping for some sort of feedback from someone much closer to the scene than I ... my inquiry was totally ignored.

Ya know the total lack of empathy or perhaps self-absorption of so many people scares the hell out of me.

[Petra]

Hmmm. I'm only back from the farm a few hours and have missed a few days of FF shenanigans. Perhaps they went offline? Or needed a cooling period before responding or something? Either way, I wouldn't take it to heart, Socratoad - people are strange, is all.

[livius drusus]

The extent of the devastation is truly staggering. Here's an article with a list of relief agencies mobilising for the victims.

[Socratoad]

Ya it really is bad. I've sorted out quite a pile of pretty good clothes but am too out of it to begin to pack them. But it will take a couple of days before local organizations get up to speed so I have time to pack them. Plus I want to rewash a few of them. I can't dare go out with them right now because its too damned cold for anyone with heart troubles ..... can't breath in such temperatures. Its -38 degrees Celsius here right now. -40 is where Celsius and Fahrenheit meet. Its'nt quite accurate, but I'm sure ya get the picture.

If anyone begins to knit-pick over this calculation I swear I will not be responsible for my actions. There has been far to much nit-picking on some threads lately

Methinks I shall be able to donate a little cash as well. It will mean a bit of fancy footwork to make it till the next pension check. But I can't not do it. I would like to think that if any of us on this board were in such dire straits some people somewhere would come to our aid.

I know, I know I'm beginning to babble. Lack of sleep.

Some may wonder why I do such things. part of it is altruistic and part of it is because of wisdom gathered over many years. I simply find it easier to look in the mirror when I choose to do such things,

Another bit of Toad's insight: the subject of self-esteem is mentioned in pop psych constantly in recent years. I have found that show enough empathy for others and then follow through and one's self-esteem wiill take care of itself. Not a orthodox theory about self-esteem I know, but it works.

Now I know I better shut up because this lack of sleep is making me somewhat punch drunk, but on the other hand it allows me to say the things that are important to me without worrying about conventions.

Perhaps I can donate this soapbox to the Asian relief fund.

Thanks to Luna's thoughtfulness I too was able to get off my ass.

[LadyShea]

The magnitude of this has been difficult for me to wrap my mind around. I am sending my Christmas bonus to the International Red Cross and urge everyone to donate what they can. Get in touch with your local Red Cross, I am sure they can direct your clothing/food/blankets donations as needed.

Thanks for the thread luna, I had gotten stuck in disbelief mode

[Petra]

*Bump*

[Socratoad]

Thanks Luna, your need to bump this thread unfortunately demonstrates a point I made earlier.

[LadyShea]

I donated to Doctors Without Borders and the Red Cross and sent an email to my whole company urging them to do the same. What a horrible tragedy.

[Socratoad]

Thanks so very much Lady Shea, of course I knew you would be right there when it comes to helping others. Years ago I worked with Doctors Without Borders when it was almost a totally french endeavour. And so I thank you again as that is precisely where I will send my pittance. I'm so numb about all this plus a couple of other things that it took both you and Luna to jog me into action.

Meanwhile most seem busy trying to amuse themselves to death.

I hope you and hubby had a great holiday. I've meant to keep in touch by email. Perhaps when I decide how I'm going to spend my remaining time in a more constructive way my priorities will take precedence .

I am very happy that both of you have decided to adopt. Someday I will explain why this makes me so happy.

PS: I've managed to get three large boxes of clothes packed and some freshly washed clothes are in the dryer as I type this. They were not really dirty as in having been worn lately, but they were rather dusty. I think I can spare a blanket or two.

[Petra]

Originally Posted by Socratoad

I've managed to get three large boxes of clothes packed and some freshly washed clothes are in the dryer as I type this. They were not really dirty as in having been worn lately, but they were rather dusty. I think I can spare a blanket or two.

[Petra]

Originally Posted by LadyShea

The magnitude of this has been difficult for me to wrap my mind around. I am sending my Christmas bonus to the International Red Cross and urge everyone to donate what they can. Get in touch with your local Red Cross, I am sure they can direct your clothing/food/blankets donations as needed.

That's so generous, Brandi.

[LadyShea]

Originally Posted by lunachick

That's so generous, Brandi.

Not really, it wasn't all that much. I did split it between the two organizations though because it was money I wasn't expecting to have anyway.

Here in the US, we have early warning systems and FEMA and all manner of relief....these poor people didn't know it was coming and had no place to run

[viscousmemories]

This is really sad. I don't systematically read the news anywhere and didn't notice this thread until a few minutes ago, so this is the first I've heard of it. It's times like these that I wish I had money and/or possessions above the bare necessities, so I could do something to help. Living on someone elses dime and having very few possessions makes that impossible.

[Petra]

Originally Posted by LadyShea

Here in the US, we have early warning systems and FEMA and all manner of relief....these poor people didn't know it was coming and had no place to run

Yeah, much of the developed world is kitted up with early warning systems for known disaster risks. Unfortunately many of the poorer countries do not; and the costs in human, environmental and economic terms are great.

I was just reading this, and hoped that this would prompt the wealthier nations to make sure that international early warning systems truly are international.

Officials in Thailand and Indonesia conceded that immediate public warnings of gigantic waves could have saved lives. The only known warning issued by Thai authorities reached resort operators when it was too late. The waves hit Sri Lanka and India more than two hours after the quake.

But governments insisted they couldn't have known the true danger because there is no international system in place to track tsunamis in the Indian Ocean, and they could not afford the sophisticated equipment to build one.

Hopefully the following quote will amount to more than just talk and something real and effective will be put into place.

Australian Prime Minister John Howard said he would investigate what role his country could play in setting up an Indian Ocean warning system. The head of the British Commonwealth bloc of Britain and its former colonies called for talks on creating a global early warning system for tsunamis.

Egeland said the issue of creating a tsunami warning system would be taken up at the World Conference on Disaster Reduction in Kobe, Japan from Jan. 18-22.

That said, it can still be hard to predict earthquakes and the tsunami that it created moved super quick! 500mph!

[Petra]

Originally Posted by viscousmemories

Living on someone elses dime and having very few possessions makes that impossible.

Hey, I totally understand. I lived out of a backpack for almost 10 years, and everything was essential.

I'm now in a position that I still don't have much money right at this minute, but thanks to mum's and others generosity since I had Zoe and had to make a home, I have an excess of assorted clothing, linen, bedding, etc.

But, yeah, I know what it's like to have nothing to give anymore, and I don't want to make you (or Socratoad) feel guilty about that. Not everyone has excess. I'm just fortunate right now in that I do.

[LadyShea]

Originally Posted by lunachick

I was just reading this, and hoped that this would prompt the wealthier nations to make sure that international early warning systems truly are international.

Officials in Thailand and Indonesia conceded that immediate public warnings of gigantic waves could have saved lives. The only known warning issued by Thai authorities reached resort operators when it was too late. The waves hit Sri Lanka and India more than two hours after the quake.

Even 2 hours would have been enough time to get people off the beaches and the fisherfolk out of the water. Apparently, just before a tsunami hits, the sea pulls way, way back quickly....I heard little children ran out there when the water did that to pick up fish

But governments insisted they couldn't have known the true danger because there is no international system in place to track tsunamis in the Indian Ocean, and they could not afford the sophisticated equipment to build one.

Hopefully the following quote will amount to more than just talk and something real and effective will be put into place.

VM, you may not have money or anything to send right now, but you could write letters to our government urging them to help fund early warning systems in the Indian ocean such as those found in the Pacific. Maybe next time the losses won't be so staggering.

[Socratoad]

Wow the massive size of this is only now becoming all too starkly understandable. I can hardly conceive that the resulting killer waves reached all the way to Somalia and Kenya .... mind boggling. I hope that those of you reading this post will forgive my cynicism. I refer to political leaders only now speaking out about building warning systems, etc. This old toad has seen and heard it all before all too many times. Within several months of all the dead rotting away in the earth. It will be politically expedient to backtrack on the promises and go back to the business of business as usual. If those in control of the world's finances had the sincerity and the will such systems and other much infrastructures would have been built several years ago needed. There would also be massive warehouse in strategic spots around the globe filled to the ceilings with everything needed for emergencies such as this.

And the tired old excuses that all such ventures are tooooooo expensive is just such a tired old crock of shit. It all about a reverence for life ethic value system rather than the corrupt value systems presently in vogue. If its another fucking war money is always found .... amazing is it not. I could go on and on as the hypocrisy of the international system would keep me busy listing the misdeeds until this post would make the Dead Sea scrolls seem about the size of a penguin paperback in comparison.

However disillusionment should not lead to a sense of apathetic helplessness for that is what has got us to the present state of affairs.

We all can do something .... try it, it will not only help others but also cure any self-esteem issues you may be dealing with.

Edit to add a further thought. Odd is it not that we rich western powers mainly the US would consider such measures as I have mentioned above as being far too expensive to put in place and yet be willing to spend untold billions to try and build some fantasy-like anti-missile shield to protect North America that cannot possibly work .... but just think of all the wonderful pork barrelling opportunities for those that already have far too much.

[Adora]

Well, it wasn't actually "killer waves' that reached Kenya & Omar & Africa, but just largish type water movements. Which isn't incomprehensible, when you consider Krakatoa's ripples in the currents went around the world 3 times. It's to be expected with a tectonic movement of this scale.

But yes, it is quite shocking. Last time I checked, the death toll was around 23000. A friend of mine has family in Sri Lanka and she's getting people involved in charities. I've donated a good chunk of my Christmas cash to some of the groups, because it's going to seriously effect the region in ways I consider important. Honestly, I don't really have anything else to give.

It shall be interesting to see the political repurcussions of this, however. You've got the seriously effected Tamal regions in the north of Sri Lanka, and this is Bang Bang's first real challange during his first term. It's also going to open up conflicted areas in Indonesia like Aceh to humanitarian groups who have previously been denied access.

[Socratoad]

Yes after a few hours sleep even I realize that Krakatoa's ripples would of course reach that far. Damn its frightening to think how close I was to losing my mind after over two days without sleep. I'm still not feeling anywhere's close to being the brightest bulb on the tree.

But this thread is not about me. Your thoughts concerning Aceh are among those that started running through my mind as well.

Guess I better check on the latest news about that troubled corner of the world. I appreciate your impressions, observations of the unfolding disaster, seeing that you are several thousand miles closer than am I.

[viscousmemories]

This was posted on a related thread at SkepticalCommunity:

The U.S. State Department has established a hotline for people worried about loved ones in the area of the quake and tsunamis -- (888) 407-4747. Overseas, the number is (317) 472-2328.

[freemonkey]

I'm having difficulty finding any group in my area that will accept donations of material goods.

[LadyShea]

Originally Posted by freemonkey

I'm having difficulty finding any group in my area that will accept donations of material goods.

The Red Cross won't take them? That's terrible!