Since August 15th, the day when 80 thousand people were affected by a 7.9 degrees earthquake in the south of Peru, things have progressed insufficiently. There's a light of hope. But, It is just taking way too much time for people to reach that light.
International donations haven't ceased arriving. The whole country is now one soul, longing for hope, and striving to overcome its challenge. Peruvian citizens from across the nation and globe are now working hand in hand to donate blood, water, non perishable food, clothes, blankets, tents. Youth has set a remarkable example, by traveling to the emergency zone and donating their time and energy as volunteers in distributing good, and supporting the logistics. International technical assistance volunteers have also arrived from bordering countries to help wherever needed.
Media is broadcasting 24/7 and is reminding everyone on what is needed, and communicating how each individual can support in relieving this chaos. Central government has immediately responded by sending its representatives to assess the situation, and coordinate the required efforts. Recently, we learned on TV about a 3-step government disaster relief plan which consisted on first removing the debris of shattered houses, recovering corpses, second organizing the population and distributing donations, and last, empowering the population to recover itself and its city.
I belief it's a good initiative taken by the government to employ locals in re-building the own city, as generation of work in the zone reheats their local vulnerable economy. They will pay workers their first week in advance to buy groceries and cover its basic needs. Good.
There are some critical things which need more attention and immediate action, though. Health, security and logistics have become a critical success factor in order to overcome this situation. Health has become an issue, as corpses have started to decompose due to the lack of Formol. Health authories have already warned everyone of a feasible epidemic disease outburst. Coffins just aren't enough, and people are burying themselves their mothers, sisters, sons, fathers, cousins. Both health facilities are partially destroyed, and medicines scarce. More physicians are required. Ambulances are not enough to transport injured people to Lima, the capital city, now more than 4 hours away from the emergency zone, due to destroyed highways.
Lack of electricity, water, and other utilities, together with the escape of 600 prisoners from jail have turned these ruined towns into a zone of vandalism and looting. Security is officially now an issue. Picture yourself not having eaten in more than four days, not having enough money to buy groceries from the only 1 or 2 places which are have increased their groceries prices in 200%. Picture yourself not having a mattress or a blanket to cover yourself at night while having your children crying at 1am in the morning due to hunger and cold. Picture yourself in your most psychotic nightmare where earth has shaken over 400 times in the last 96 hours, and it still is, while you fear something may fall on you from anywhere, or that, maybe, again, earth will open itself to swallow you just like it swallowed your house. Vandalism and looting, being 2 not justifiable behaviors, are backed by an understandable purpose: survival. As my coaching trainer says: There's always a positive intention behind every behavior.
A very disrupting issue recently highlighted by the media has been the incongruence between perceptions of the central government and the affected people. President states its plan is being fully deployed and that it is impacting on what's most crucial. He visits the disaster zone, states that the problem is under control, while listening to citizens who have lost everything claim for aid. First Aid. Humanitarian Aid. Any Aid. Any.
All they see is a tall, middle-aged, main central government rep walk through the shattered places while not doing anything but providing press releases. Of course, government relief plan implies the deployment of actions across all levels of the nation (central, regional, local), but that's the issue with leaders: When you hold a leadership position, you're the ultimate responsible, and we -the civil society- hold you -Mr. President- accountable to coordinating all efforts coming from international community, private sector, social sector, and civil society to achieved the expected outcomes! We do not care for process, we care for results. Results. Safe citizens, organized in new communities, with basic needs covered.
I believe that government and civil society are actually doing something. However, the problem here is the effectiveness in the response delivery. It is just taking way too long. There are not enough trucks to bring from Lima what people are donating. Highways will still hinder transportation for several weeks to come, so it will still be slow. Some things can be controlled and dealt with (like obtaining more trucks), and others (collapsed highways) will simply be there to remind us that a challenge is meant to push us to find alternative ways to achieve our goals. So, not enough trucks? WTF, get more airplanes!
If you have worked in an AIESEC Local Chapter, you know that deploying a plan working with volunteers takes time. Even within a private company, things take their time. Sometimes, even a week seems reasonable. But, in these situations, time is crucial. And people there have already perceived and understood that. Every minute counts. Every second is an eternity. And simply, to whose who lived the earthquake there: Their close encounter with death lasted 2 whole minutes at night.
There is still hope. A 7-month child reminded us yesterday night about it. The whole family had gone to church, baby included. While church started to collapse, the father became a human shield to protect his baby. The church fell on them. However, after several hours of despair, the baby boy was rescued, safe and sound. The father had protected his child with his own body and life. That's what I call the power of Love. Yesterday night, it was the most remarkable positive news we could get. A light of hope in this blackout of despair: The baby's broad smile, reminding us that we can do it.
We can do it, Peru. We can once again rebirth from the ashes, and hand in hand rebuild our country. It is our responsibility. Ours. Yours. Not the central government. Not international community. Not private sector. You. What have you done so far? What will you do? How can you contribute? Have you donated blood? Have you gone to the bank and donated one dollar or sol? Every cent counts. Every minute of your time counts. No money? Donate your time, be a disaster zone volunteer. Do not plan more.
Let's not turn this issue into a "I regret what has happened to us" speech. Less words. More action!
Act. NOW.
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