Editorial of Interpretation: The Need for Speed
Editorial of Interpretation
The ‘Need for Speed’
Declared as a catastrophic super typhoon, the whole central Visayas region was flustered by heavy rains and strong winds Yolanda has brought, and nearby areas also felt the typhoon’s wrath. After making 5 land falls, the areas were impossible to recognize as they were before. Many people were killed during the typhoon; their crops and livelihood were destroyed as well as their shelters.
Relief goods and cash donations for the victims of the typhoon were given not only by their fellow citizens, but also from other countries. Almost 4 million people were displaced as of November last year, who were in need for food and shelter.
The government wanted to ensure that the basic needs of the people were provided, while being transparent in the reconstruction spending in the areas devastated. Foreign donors wanted their aids straight to the survivors, but leakage is inevitable.
The donations, however needed as soon as possible in the devastated areas, took long before getting distributed to the victims. They were stuck in Manila, until the next step for reconstruction is put into order. Adults can overcome hunger, but the poor children and youths cannot.
Some people have concerns that it is, again, about corruption. They fear that it may not be the communication interruptions or the government’s slow coordination and response that are the problems, but that there is relief goods diversion going on or the politicians are taking advantage on having credits on the cash donations and relief goods.
The delays in the relief goods distribution somehow worsen the conditions of the victims. Not only that they have no permanent or good shelter to settle at, and that they haven’t recovered yet from the calamity, their health is also at risk because of the slow response of the government in providing them their basic needs, especially food.
The circumstance is once again a déjà vu, which shows the government’s vulnerability
The ‘Need for Speed’
Declared as a catastrophic super typhoon, the whole central Visayas region was flustered by heavy rains and strong winds Yolanda has brought, and nearby areas also felt the typhoon’s wrath. After making 5 land falls, the areas were impossible to recognize as they were before. Many people were killed during the typhoon; their crops and livelihood were destroyed as well as their shelters.
Relief goods and cash donations for the victims of the typhoon were given not only by their fellow citizens, but also from other countries. Almost 4 million people were displaced as of November last year, who were in need for food and shelter.
The government wanted to ensure that the basic needs of the people were provided, while being transparent in the reconstruction spending in the areas devastated. Foreign donors wanted their aids straight to the survivors, but leakage is inevitable.
The donations, however needed as soon as possible in the devastated areas, took long before getting distributed to the victims. They were stuck in Manila, until the next step for reconstruction is put into order. Adults can overcome hunger, but the poor children and youths cannot.
Some people have concerns that it is, again, about corruption. They fear that it may not be the communication interruptions or the government’s slow coordination and response that are the problems, but that there is relief goods diversion going on or the politicians are taking advantage on having credits on the cash donations and relief goods.
The delays in the relief goods distribution somehow worsen the conditions of the victims. Not only that they have no permanent or good shelter to settle at, and that they haven’t recovered yet from the calamity, their health is also at risk because of the slow response of the government in providing them their basic needs, especially food.
The circumstance is once again a déjà vu, which shows the government’s vulnerability