Natural disaster relief system needed to reduce the suffering
(From The Japan Times May 18 issue)

災害救助体制の構築で被害を最小限に

The cyclone in Myanmar and earthquake in China are reminders of how neighbors need to help one another. Asian countries have a duty to offer assistance to one another, and to accept it. Myanmar's refusal of aid exposes its citizens to more suffering than necessary. In the case of China, authorities accepted assistance but stalled on admitting rescue workers and trained personnel. The result was more suffering than necessary.

The willingness to help in economic and human terms has not been lacking, only the means to make it happen. Teams of rescue workers and medical personnel still wait idly near airports for emergency visas, although, in China, they are starting to be admitted. Meanwhile, unknown numbers of sufferers lie trapped under rubble, isolated in dangerous areas, and fending for themselves without food, water or medicine. In both countries, many have died when a simple "OK" would have brought immediate help to thousands of victims.

Myanmar and China's reasons for not accepting aid may be different in many regards, but both governments seem to harbor suspicions about help from abroad. Wanting to do everything oneself is an admirable sign of political independence, but refusing genuine help is unreasonable. In times of emergency, relief for victims should come first and national pride a distant second.

Establishing a system for inter-Asian assistance would benefit huge numbers of people. Asian governments need to agree on protocol for donations of money and assistance. Coordinated assistance on disasters is to every country's benefit. Such a system will never prevent natural disasters but would greatly reduce the amount of suffering, hopefully before the next disaster strikes.

ミャンマーのサイクロン被害と中国・四川大地震は、アジア各国が援助し合い、それを受け入れることの重要性を浮き彫りにした。ミャンマーは国外からの支援を拒否、中国では救助隊の入国が滞ったことで、被害が拡大したのだ。

各国の経済的・人的援助の意気込みは十分だったが、実現化の手段が欠けていた。

両国政府は、国外からの支援に対する疑念から、すべてを自国で対処しようとしていたと思われる。緊急事態では自国の威信よりも被災者救済を優先すべきだ。

アジア間で災害救助体制を構築することが必要だ。寄付や援助に関する協定のもと、各国が歩調を合わせた対応をすることで、今後、災害が起きた際に被害を最小限に抑えることができるだろう。