After the tsunami<\/p>\n
The unprecedented generosity in response to Asia's tsunami has
\nreflected the sense that this is a different sort of tragedy.<\/p>\n
The success of the relief effort, by contrast, is bound to
\ndepend on the competence of governments. National pride may prove
\nan obstacle: India's government refused foreign help, and then
\nwas slow to deliver assistance to the remote Andaman Islands;
\nIndonesia's government has forbidden U.S. Marines from staying
\novernight on its soil, which has restricted the U.S. role in
\nclearing rubble and in reconstruction; Burma's dictators as usual
\nseem more interested in preserving their positions than allowing
\nhelp to reach their citizens.<\/p>\n
Indonesia has also announced that foreign aid workers must
\nregister with its officials before leaving the two main towns in
\nAceh, a requirement that may become onerous if implemented
\nrestrictively.<\/p>\n
Disasters can generate a tragic clash between humanity's two
\nsides: Fortunate westerners are spurred to admirable generosity,
\nbut desperate survivors in the stricken regions may steal the
\ngifts or bend them to their own ends. The result frequently is
\ndisillusionment with the whole idea of aid.<\/p>\n
If Indonesia and the other tsunami-struck countries can manage
\ndisaster relief well, they will be helping the wider cause of
\nforeign assistance as well as their own people.<\/p>\n
-- The Washington Post, Washington DC<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/after-the-tsunami-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }