How do we come to terms with the worst natural disaster, perhaps ever, in the world? When the death of one person can be devastating, how do we comprehend the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people? There is the initial killing by the 'event' but then there is the aftermath as the infrastructure is destroyed and disease and hunger set in. The figures may spiral to millions with no guarantees that recovery will be unhampered by further earthquakes. This raises the question of refuge. Where is a safe place for survivors to live? The right “to leave” a country, laid down in Article 13 (2) of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, has no corresponding right “to enter” a country. Hence there are millions of people throughout the world, waiting in displacement camps or leaking boats to be allowed entry to a country where they can have the most basic of human rights; food, clean water and shelter. António Guterres, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees stated that 80 percent of the world's refugees and internally displaced people are in developing nations, underscoring the disproportionate burden carried by those least able to afford it as well as the need for more international support. It also puts into proper perspective alarmist claims by populist politicians and media that some industrialised nations are being "flooded" by asylum seekers. Most people forced to flee their homes because of conflict or persecution remain within their own countries and regions in the developing world. Major refugee-hosting nations in 2008 included Pakistan (1.8 million); Syria (1.1 million); Iran (980,000); Germany (582,700), Jordan (500,400); Chad (330,500); Tanzania (321,900); and Kenya (320,600). Major countries of origin for refugees included Afghanistan (2.8 million) and Iraq (1.9 million), which together account for 45 percent of all UNHCR refugees. Others were Somalia (561,000); Sudan (419,000); Colombia (374,000), and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (368,000). Nearly all of these countries are in the developing world. (1)
So who will open their doors to the victims of the Earthquake in Haiti? Aside from throwing money, a reflex response to disaster and of course a laudable one because money is needed. Spending it on the 'right' things and getting it to the people who need it is another matter. I am interested in a change of individual attitudes, public policy and international law that allows everyone freedom of movement. But what if....? What if we were prepared to let go of our fears? Fear is what prevents people from opening up their hearts and homes to others. What do we fear? Loss? Change? If we really want to see justice served and that everyone enjoys basic human rights, then there must be an equitable distribution of wealth. After all how did the rich get rich? On the backs of the poor. The land, labour and resources of poorer nations and communities have provided and sustained the wealth of rich people and nations. The rich nations of the world must let go of their irrational fears of invasion and not only open their coffers, but also their borders. The only thing that should be left outside the border is Fear.
(1)The UN Refugee Agency Website http://www.unhcr.org/4a3b98706.html (19th June 2009)
Fear, Death and Cholera
Fear, Death and Cholera visited the Holy City of Mecca each year. Death and Cholera would meet the gatekeeper to the city and come to an agreement as to how many victims they would take. Fear remained in her brother's shadows and slipped into the city unacknowledged by the gatekeeper. One year, Fear decided to visit the city alone and when she came to the gatekeeper, he did not know her, and let her enter. When Cholera and Death arrived later that year, the gatekeeper asked how many victims they would take.
'Not more than 500 I'm sure this time,' said Cholera.
'And you Death, how many will you take?' the gatekeeper demanded.
'As always, I will take only what Cholera gives me,' he answered.
Satisfied, the gatekeeper let them enter.
A month later, Death and Cholera left the city and upon arriving at the gate were stopped by the gatekeeper.
'Open the gates, gatekeeper,' they demanded.
'Cholera, how many victims did you take?' the gatekeeper asked.
'Only 499,' Cholera answered, 'less than I said I would'
'And Death, how many did you take?' the gatekeeper asked.
'I took more than a thousand,' he said.
'But you promised you'd only take what Cholera gave you!' said the angry gatekeeper.
'Yes, I know that is what I said,' Death explained, ' But that is before I knew our sister, Fear had come to the city beforehand. You did not recognize her so you let her in. Most of those who have died were taken by her. Left alone to infect the people, she is capable of causing more deaths than Cholera!'
Indonesian Legends and Folk Tales
Told by Adele de Leeuw, Illustrated by Ronni Solbert, Published by Thomas Nelson and Sons, New York 1961
Hope by Roman W. Schatz
