The calm -before and after.
Sadly, today I use this phrase "the calm before the storm" and turn it into "the calm, before and after the storm".
In regards, of course, to the unfortunate situation experienced in my country these past days, when heavy rain provoked serious landslides and floods.
Starting the night of November 6th, and continuing through November 7th, huge amounts of rain unchained a series of events that ended up in (up to date) 198 deaths, 45 destroyed/damaged bridges, over 1000 destroyed houses, 80 still missing people, and the gran (and sad) total of 7000+ evacuated people (half of them are homeless now).
And as much as I fangirl over manga and anime and books, well, my job usually slaps me across the face with these situations.
Red alert activated the national system of Civil Protection, and my building soon became the chaotic center of dozens of people (Firefigthers, Rescue Teams, ONU, UNPD, USAID, AECID, US Army etc etc) coming and going and yelling and ....well.
Almost 20 days have gone by since November 6th, and finally some sort of peace is starting to set in. Literally, hm? the calm after the storm.
Destroyed villages are being cleaned, temporary shelters are brimming with people and needs, roads and bridges are being inspected.
My office, my workmates and I, have a nice collection of mud in our pants and boots and hands. But we are getting people as much help as possible, finally leaving behind the mere emergency actions, to begin the humanitarian assistance labor.
*sigh* After all this, I think I finally will get to fully check LJ and my other hobbies. These past days I have been only snagging some icons and reading one or two entries.
I do have to say, though, this small country may have some serious issues (violence, poverty, policies) but if something makes me proud, is just how damn courageous everyone is. Still mourning, but working, still crying, but rebuilding. Any regular person is up to their waist in debris and mud trying to save a neighbor or a complete stranger.
Time and life goes on, I guess.
In regards, of course, to the unfortunate situation experienced in my country these past days, when heavy rain provoked serious landslides and floods.
Starting the night of November 6th, and continuing through November 7th, huge amounts of rain unchained a series of events that ended up in (up to date) 198 deaths, 45 destroyed/damaged bridges, over 1000 destroyed houses, 80 still missing people, and the gran (and sad) total of 7000+ evacuated people (half of them are homeless now).
And as much as I fangirl over manga and anime and books, well, my job usually slaps me across the face with these situations.
Red alert activated the national system of Civil Protection, and my building soon became the chaotic center of dozens of people (Firefigthers, Rescue Teams, ONU, UNPD, USAID, AECID, US Army etc etc) coming and going and yelling and ....well.
Almost 20 days have gone by since November 6th, and finally some sort of peace is starting to set in. Literally, hm? the calm after the storm.
Destroyed villages are being cleaned, temporary shelters are brimming with people and needs, roads and bridges are being inspected.
My office, my workmates and I, have a nice collection of mud in our pants and boots and hands. But we are getting people as much help as possible, finally leaving behind the mere emergency actions, to begin the humanitarian assistance labor.
*sigh* After all this, I think I finally will get to fully check LJ and my other hobbies. These past days I have been only snagging some icons and reading one or two entries.
I do have to say, though, this small country may have some serious issues (violence, poverty, policies) but if something makes me proud, is just how damn courageous everyone is. Still mourning, but working, still crying, but rebuilding. Any regular person is up to their waist in debris and mud trying to save a neighbor or a complete stranger.
Time and life goes on, I guess.