Sustained sustenance<\/p>\n
Starvation is shameful in a modern civilized society. When food
\nis wasted and rations left to rot in some parts of the country,
\nit is painful to learn that hundreds of thousands of people could
\nbe deprived of nourishment in East Nusa Tenggara.<\/p>\n
Reports from the province suggest that due to a drought its
\npeople are facing an extreme scarcity of food and water. Farmers
\nwho would have been harvesting their second crop have seen rice
\nand corn fields dry up. Between 10 to 12 of the province's 18
\nregencies are reportedly experiencing crop failure.<\/p>\n
Certain isolated districts are even more vulnerable if
\nassistance is required in the coming weeks due to their remote
\nlocations and the complexities of transporting tons of rice in a
\nshort time.<\/p>\n
While starvation has not set in, the warning signs are clear
\nenough, that lethargy could cost lives.<\/p>\n
The silver lining is that Jakarta was promptly made aware of
\nthe threat of famine. The situation has been prioritized by the
\ngovernment, in many respects, due to media coverage of it.<\/p>\n
It would be shameful if, even after an early warning, we were
\nto learn eight weeks from now that the people of East Nusa
\nTenggara were scrounging for sustenance.<\/p>\n
While we appreciate the attention this issue has been accorded
\nin Cabinet meetings over the past few days, the rather dismissive
\ntones of certain local and high-ranking officials at the Office
\nof the Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare have come as
\nsomething of a disappointment.<\/p>\n
Though their words may have been aimed at alleviating panic,
\nthey seem more belittling than reassuring.<\/p>\n
"There's nothing to worry about. It's being taken care of,"
\nwas one reported remark. "There's always (emergency) stocks at
\nthe provincial level ... which can easily be distributed.
\nTomorrow you can rest assured that the people there are well
\nfed".<\/p>\n
This coming from an official who a week after the tsunami
\ndisaster confidently proclaimed that no one was going hungry in
\nAceh.<\/p>\n
The 50 tons of rice reserves in the province are intended for
\nshort-term relief after a natural disaster, and are insufficient
\nto counter the famine that East Nusa Tenggara is facing.<\/p>\n
It may be a case of perceiving whether a glass is half-full or
\nhalf-empty, as that official once responded to criticism over the
\nhandling of Aceh relief.<\/p>\n
But it is another thing, we fear, to perceive the glass as
\nfull while in fact it is completely empty.<\/p>\n
We strongly urge officials to show greater empathy for the
\npeople who have conveyed that they are "suffering". From the
\ngluttonous chambers of government the dispatch of rice may seem
\nlike regular business -- instructions on a piece of paper that
\nneeds to be signed, and orders for subordinates to be carried
\nout. But to the "hungry" thousands, it is their sole lifeline.<\/p>\n
For the longer term, the local government -- with vested
\npowers from regional autonomy -- should work together with
\nofficials in Jakarta to take preventative measures.<\/p>\n
Some areas of the province are known to be naturally more
\narid. Irrigation systems, the more careful selection of crops and
\nthe introduction of staples other than rice in locals' diets
\nshould also be considered. Technology and human ingenuity have
\nreached a stage where farmers, even in unforgiving climates, are
\nless dependent on seasonal changes.<\/p>\n
To look up at the sky and hope for the best -- or to assume
\nthat the dry season will end according to the calendar -- is to
\nput communities at jeopardy. Faith in divine kindness must be
\ncomplemented with human endeavor.<\/p>\n
The same goes for other notoriously arid farming areas across
\nthe country.<\/p>\n
It is the duty of the central government and local
\nadministrations to introduce these initiatives. To teach farmers
\nbetter ways to produce more reliable crops. To provide incentives
\nand the necessary infrastructure to sustain productive yields.<\/p>\n
Real support for our farmers would be one of the most
\nnecessary and beneficial long-term investments that this country
\ncould make. Not only would the welfare of farmers -- usually
\namong the nation's poorest people -- be improved, but the
\nquantity of agricultural crops gathered would increase, ensuring
\nfood security.<\/p>\n
Prevention was one of the key political targets set by the New
\nOrder government. It should also be so for this administration.
\nThis country should not talk about modernization or
\nindustrialization if it cannot ensure that there is enough food
\nto go around.<\/p>\n
There is nothing more frightening than a mob of hungry people.
\nThere is nothing more calming than a public satiated and
\nsatisfied.<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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