"Our liberty depends on the freedom of the press, and that cannot be limited without being lost." -Thomas Jefferson Liberty Bell :: December :: 2005

December 27, 2005

Tsunami

Filed under: Quotes, History

Monday marked the one-year anniversary of the deadly tsunami that brought destruction and death to many in South East Asia. On December 26th, 2004, an earthquake beneath the Indian Ocean spread giant waves over surrounding coastlines and islands. The damage was horrific. Over 200, 000 people died, and millions of people were left homeless.

People compared the damage to that caused by an atomic bomb:
“Everything was flattened. It was like a nuclear bomb had hit the place. I’ve seen bodies before but nothing like this. We lost count. The destruction was of biblical proportions.”—British tourist Al Howard who miraculously survived on Indonesia’s most northwestern island of Pulau Weh.

Most of the horror can be expressed best by the survivors:

“The water was up to our necks. We tried to run down the corridor but couldn’t so we went to the reception of the hotel and there were people dead in there. I tried to resuscitate a Thai boy but he had been dead for a while by then. He was only about three. It was awful.” – British survivors: Thailand

“People were screaming and kids were screaming all over the place, screaming ‘help, help’. And after a few minutes you didn’t hear the kids any more… ” – Czech model Petra Nemcova: Thailand

“If the body is in a condition to be moved, we put it into the mass burial pit and if it’s too decomposed, we pour diesel over it and burn it with debris from thatched huts. Usually the pyres have 20 to 30 bodies at one go.” – South Indian resident Subash: India

Bodies were laid on mats or on the ground for friends and relatives to identify. Most of the clothing had been ripped off, so the bodies were covered with palm branches, towels… whatever could be found. A lot were scrapped up and bloated. Yet, some would consider them luckier than the survivors. Survivors pleaded, “Please let the world know of our fate.” The response came in the form of food, money, volunteers… help.

The struggle is barely over. For some it has gotten worse. People seem to have forgotten the South East Asians. Yet the people there are still in need of help. At least 80,000 more homes need to be built. Now, on the start of the second year of recovery, many will need a new sense of courage. Something to live for. I hope they will find something to hold on to during this year. I admire their courage. I wish them peace on this coming year.

Please remember these people throught the coming year. Pray - if you believe in prayer. If not, you can still encourage the survivors through money, food, clothing…