Armchair Distater Relief - STFU

Please give.





Once again liberals and conservatives alike are up in arms over the speed of aid to a disaster area. This time it is the small island nation of Haiti. The devestating 7.0 earthquake with multiple aftershocks left the country in a terrible state. Days later there is no way to accurately calculate the loss of life. Critics from both sides are lambasting the speed with which relief is making its way to Haiti and it makes me sick.

People need to sit back, take a breath and accept the reality of disaster relief. The first line of aid in any disaster is the survivors. They are on the scene and know exactly what has happened. Human nature is to help those in need. The survivors will be the first ones to render medical aid and to move rubble to rescue those buried underneath. Yes, they have been through an incredible ordeal but to not attempt to aid others is contrary to everything that is human. Our media, however, would have you believe that these victims (any victims of any disaster really) are unable to even make a common sense decision to help their family and friends.

The media's coverage of disasters is such that no victim is capable of giving aid and relief to fellow members of their community. The media demands immediate importation of foreign aid (money, supplies, workers) in the most remote of areas. The media never takes into account the time needed to collect supplies and mobilize personnel. The media is demanding relief workers immediately without a thought to who can actually help. In a country where the ports, the airport, the roads and the hospitals were all damaged who is going to be most useful? Yes, emergency medical personnel is needed but even more important is to bring in the equipment and personnel who can provide temporary repairs to the airport and the ports so that aid can get in.

So how about a little reality? The first thing that needs to happen is the victims of this quake should be helping each other (and my opinion is they are). It is just common sense. Earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, tornados, fires...the first line of aid always comes from those who survived. They are there and understand the extent of what has occurred. The survivors must use common sense and do what they can until others arrive.

Please do not take this as my saying the Haitians do not need any help because they do and I encourage you to give to those organizations who will actually help them. This criticism is directed at those who sit in their cushy offices while demanding others take actions that are improper, unnecessary, and misguided.