AFRO-NETS> Mozambique disaster, where do we stand? (8)

[Dr Delanyo Dovlo <dovlod@mweb.com.na>]

Mozambique disaster, where do we stand? (8)
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Dear Arlene,

It was difficult to relate your response to the posting that elicited 
it.

Yes, I think we do appreciate very much the more in-depth and sus-
tainable efforts at resolving Africa's problems. But if that meant 
ignoring natural disasters, as appears to have happened in Mozam-
bique's case then I am at a loss. The flood victims, for example, 
cannot wait for the results of the recent African-American Summit or 
for a thesis to be written on the health implications of floods, no 
matter how well intentioned.

For some reason response to Mozambique was rather slow it seemed, 
compared to response to other disasters and this has also happened 
with less natural disasters such as those requiring intervention in 
Sierra Leone or the DRC.

As a health worker removed from the floods, I did also feel guilty, 
that I could not do more but would not feel angry if considered as 
one of the "Others".

The health worker sees a lot of the effects of this apathy, the hor-
ror of amputated children in Sierra Leone, or the exposed child in 
the floods, clinging of reeds for three days for one of the five 
helicopters deployed to come by.

I suppose the argument is that we should accept that our emergencies 
will receive less attention, and shut up?

Delanyo


--
Dr Delanyo Dovlo
Namibia
mailto:dovlod@mweb.com.na

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