Two Years Ago Today - Tsunami

Two years ago today a tsunami hit the nations surrounding the Indian Ocean. Ultimately, almost a quartern of a million people were dead or missing. There was an out pouring of donations form around the world, and those in the U.S. shamed Bush into a larger U.S. aid amount. Yet two years later, almost two-thirds are still dislocated.

Despite aid money and promises, the early warning system has yet to arrive. Millions in aid have not resettled people into permanent living situations. With South India being a case in point, the Indian government has left millions living in terrible conditions. Recovery across the region remains a fantasy for many.

Much like those displaced by hurricane Katrina, and the people of Kashmir and Pakistan who were devastated by last year's earthquake, the poor pay the price.

All of these people are the victims of natural disaster. All of them face the consequences of governments which choose to look the other way, or even see possible profit coming from the disasters. Whether that is "better" New Orleans which is wealthier and much whiter, or the prime beach front property where fishing villages once stood, those pesky poor folks just need to stay out of the way of "progress."

The reality is that many of those who are currently suffering will likely continue to remain displaced and ignored permanently. In the eyes of some, these are people who just don't have the courtesy to disappear or die. They count on the citizens of their various nations - and the world - to move on to other stories and problems. They count on us to think that the crisis is over and life is back to normal. However, we need to keep pressure on the governments to respond to the needs of the victims of disaster.

Those who have the least also have the least voice. They need us to be that voice, and to be the conscience that politicos of today seem to have lost.

****
In pictures: South Asia's slow recovery from the tsunami (BBC)