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Focus on survivors
An important lesson from past major disasters is that while there is little we can do for the dead, we can save those who have survived but are in critical condition. Some victims of the recent quake are in hospitals and in makeshift tents, often still in a state of shock over losing loved ones and their belongings. The freezing weather is not helping rescue efforts either. Unless they get help fast, some of these people could join the list of fatalities.
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A woman sits amid rubble on Feb. 7, 2023, following an earthquake in Gaziantep, Turkey. (Reuters/Suhaib Salem)
T
he death toll from the recent devastating earthquake in Turkey and Syria has surpassed 20,000 and is still rising as more bodies are being found under the rubble of collapsed buildings. But the news’ preoccupation with this number should not distract from the far more important task of saving the hundreds of thousands of survivors.
An important lesson from past major disasters is that while there is little we can do for the dead, we can save those who have survived but are in critical condition. Some victims of the recent quake are in hospitals and in makeshift tents, often still in a state of shock over losing loved ones and their belongings. The freezing weather is not helping rescue efforts either. Unless they get help fast, some of these people could join the list of fatalities.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan declared the nation’s highest state of emergency soon after the 7.8-magnitude earthquake. This not only led to the rapid deployment of rescue operations in Turkey, it also prompted the international community to respond. Within 24 hours, a number of countries had sent teams with search and rescue dogs and equipment to Turkey, and later to Syria, to join the effort. Many more have been flying in relief supplies on a massive scale. Their rapid response has undoubtedly saved lives.
The arrival of military transport planes from different countries is a reminder of how nations can mobilize their armed forces for peaceful and humanitarian purposes rather than warfare. These militaries have the personnel and equipment to make a difference and are almost always ready to be deployed at short notice.
Many of the countries coming to Turkey’s aid have put aside their differences, including some directly or indirectly involved in the Russia-Ukraine war or the ongoing conflict in Syria, to take part in the massive global humanitarian mission. We can only hope that those responsible for the wars and conflicts will sustain this spirit of cooperation beyond the relief effort. It is ironic that some countries are engaging in operations to save lives in Turkey and Syria while engaging in operations to end them not far away.
Many Indonesians will remember a similar international relief operation in the wake of the devastating 2004 tsunami in Aceh. Many in Aceh will remember a huge tent in Banda Aceh with the Turkish flag flying on top that provided shelter and medical assistance to the victims of the disaster, including medicine, food and drink.
The death toll in Aceh surpassed 200,000, but it could have been even larger if it were not for the rapid and massive response of the international community. The focus of the humanitarian mission quickly turned to saving lives. Dozens of countries set up tents in Banda Aceh for several weeks after the earthquake. And when the massive rebuilding effort began, they all chipped in.
