Faith amidst adversity.

There exists a point in life when adversity is too great to bear that all hope seems lost. The recent torrential rain and flood are examples of pushing the limit of human frailty. Pictures and videos of people and animals trapped on their roofs waiting to be rescued. Hospitals and patients being drowned in apprehension. Kids and toddlers in the middle of rescue operations. More than the grim images, these events may result into a perpetual fear that will be ingrained on every person’s psyche, particularly on children, and would be triggered upon the slightest drop of rain.

Photo from: http://www.namnewsnetwork.org/v3/read-photo.php?id=MTI3NjM=

Some people are quick to blame the evacuees. They contend that the government and other non-civic groups have provided early warnings prior to the rain and flood, but the people were too stubborn to follow. However, they seem to forget that evacuation is not a simple process of relocating. The safety of the area must primarily be considered. Some evacuation areas are open, while others are even prone to flood. There are also evacuation sites that are already too crowded or lack basic utilities. More than the safety of the area, some people do not leave their houses for fear of theft or pilferage.  

Safety, however, should not be lost on mere comfort. True, living in proper evacuation camps may not be comfortable, but at least, it can guarantee safety particularly to the children and elderly. Sight of babies, toddlers, and infants being rescued in the midst of the typhoon is so devastating that you want to openly scold the parents. Anent the fear of theft, parents could man the house while they send the kids with an adult (elder brother or sister) to the evacuation camps. At the first instance of danger, the parents should also evacuate.

The good thing is, situations like these also provide ample tales of heroism. People swim crazy currents just to save a child. Brave volunteers are on a 24-hour shift just to ensure everybody’s safety. Navy personnel carrying elderly on their backs while crossing rivers. The sight of courage and selflessness boosts the thought that there is always hope.

More than the fear and heroism, the most important consideration is to find lasting solutions to avoid or prevent these situations. If it will require building a dike, a proper sewage system, incineration of garbage, waste disposal, then someone has to step-up and provide the means to solve the problem. We can’t always rely on evacuation camps, donations, and rescue operations every time a typhoon hits the country. At some point, we have to be proactively engaged in finding solutions.

Until that day comes, we have to marvel more on heroism rather than be grappled in fear. Last time I checked, from where I come from, everybody is a hero.