Tsunami and us

There is no way that we can bring back those who have fallen victims to this great tragedy. There is also very little we can do to assuage the pain and sufferings of those who have been injured and those who have lost their loved ones. But we can share in their grief and demonstrate solidarity with them by some symbolic gesture as the West has done. We can also participate materially and with human resource in providing immediate humanitarian relief. We are proud that Bangladesh has sent some relief to Sri Lanka.

However we feel compelled to point out that we are guilty of tremendous insensitivity in this matter. Of the five severally affected countries, three belong to SAARC-namely India, Sri Lanka and the Maldives. Have we shown the type of solidarity in this matter as the situation calls for? The most disappointing response so far has come from the Muslim countries. Compared to Germany offering US$ 664 million, Australia US$ 674 million, Japan US$ 500 million, the United States US$ 350 million and 13,000 troops and volunteers along with huge logistical supports, among all the Muslims countries Saudi Arabia has offered US$ 30 million and Kuwait US$ 2 million. The EU and individual countries together have already pledged about US $2 billion.

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It is shameful how we are participating in the post tsunami relief and rehabilitation activities. Bangladesh deserve some credit for its early response but should now seriously examine what it could do more. At the level of the people the civil society and the NGOs there must be some actions of solidarity and support. We must give a better example of solidarity as a people.