Da: “Quaderni Tuscolani” Mensile – Anno II – numero 1 – gennaio 2005
In the wake of the Tsunami disaster in south-east Asia, organizations from across the world are joining in one of the biggest relief efforts of all time…But what problems does this overwhelming emergency response involve? How much aid really reaches and relieves the people most in need?
To help answer these questions we spoke to Massimo Barra, former president of the Italian Red Cross, an organization which has taken him to 80 countries on over 300 humanitarian missions. As well as being top consultant of the Clinica Madonna del Tufo in Rocca di Papa, Barra is currently vice-president of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the world’s biggest humanitarian organization. For further information please see www.massimobarra.it.
Could you summarize the current situation in south-east Asia?
“There are around 2 million people who need assistance – 800,000 of them in Sri Lanka and 100,000 in the Maldives. We are talking about the need to provide what is missing; assistance regarding health and the environment, providing drinking water and housing. The Federation has already set up five purifiers which each produce 600 thousand litres of drinking water per day. This is extremely important because water can help prevent contagious diseases such as hepatitis, salmonella and cholera”.
They say that, paradoxically, too much aid has arrived. Why is this?
“Because the local infra-structure, for example the airports, can receive a limited quantity of goods. Also, these people need water and get sent panettoni which are of no use to them whatsoever… The result is doubly negative: not only a terrible waste, but what is really needed cannot get through”.
How does the Federation’s five-year plan work?
“It is a comprehensive programme of interventions which will involve investments of 350 million euro. The aim is to move from the cur-rent emergency phase to the reconstruction of infrastructures such as hospitals and schools, aiding future development in the area”.
How is an emergency situation managed?
“We have the so-called E.R.U (Emergency Relief Units) — entirely self-sufficient mobile units able to reach any part of the world in a maximum of 48 hours. Once they arrive, the E.R.U. staff evaluate the situation and contact the headquarters which sends materials and personnel”.
Should someone want to go out there and offer assistance, who must they contact?
“It’s important to get involved in these things in quieter moments, not just when a disaster like this occurs. You can take a course at one of the Red Cross centres, and be ready when needed. Emergency is a problem of the day before not the day after, because interventions must be planned, and the people involved must be well prepared. Unfortunately good will alone is not enough!”.