Relief in humanity

Relief in humanity

Sin Chew Daily/Asia News Network, Selangor, Malaysia

After the tsunami, we have seen the good and ugly sides of
man. Of all the ugly incidents, the most distressful is none
other than the reportedly unfair treatment of Aceh Chinese by the
pribumis.

When the news was first reported, indignation and dejection
took over the passion of sympathy. Why was it that at such a time
of distress, when we badly needed one another's help and support,
such racially-motivated discriminations and emotions were allowed
to break loose?

But fortunately, after the clarifications by relevant
organizations, it was evident that the acts of robbery were not
aimed at Chinese exclusively.

And later when we read of the locals holding out their helping
hands to the Chinese, saving the lives of many, I smiled in
relief -- attesting to the manifestation of the highest human
values of relieving the agony of victims regardless of race or
religion.

The tsunami is now over for more than two weeks, but relief
work is still going on unabated. Various organizations and
individuals have gone about all kinds of charity activities aimed
at raising funds to help the victims.

This marks an important beginning of love and care for 2005,
having experienced a world plagued by confrontations and violence
in 2004.

The disaster has opened our eyes to the fact that we need to
treasure whatever we are possessing now. The miseries of tsunami
victims have touched our deeper hearts. We have to use our care
and love to create hope, and only with love are we able to
relieve the agony of the victims. This is the positive effect the
ghastly tsunami has brought.

Having said that, there are still a few annoying developments
in the relief operations.

Some countries have sent their military instruments to
Southeast Asia in the name of relief work, while other powerful
states have tried to flex their muscles over to this part of the
world. These are what we are most reluctant to see.

The Asian tsunami has created enough sufferings for people
living in this region. They are even more unwilling to lose their
sovereignty because of this disaster.

It is hoped that all individuals, organizations and countries
taking part in the relief work do so out of a pure intention to
help, not for any other purposes or political agendas.

Only in this way are we able to really have a sense of relief.