In Reply to: ***Appeal for Aceh !*** posted by Thorsten on Friday, 31. December 2004 at 09:32 Bali Time:
You have to be right; when you think of the logistics and the areas involved, there must be so many places where access has neither been available to date nor will be in the immediate future. The utterly sickening thing is that the fate of so many of those poor people who "survived" the tsunami is going to be a million times worse than those who died on the day.
I don't know where you live, Thorsten, - but here in Sydney, people are donating huge amounts of cash (I think Red Cross said they've rec'd AUD 8M to date) and there will be volunteers from all of the charity organisations out tonight collecting from the New Year's Eve crowds.
There are also collection points for clothing and other goods all over the place. The Prime Minister has said that we need to be prepared for this to be a very long haul; that we will send absolutely what ever resources are necessary and has encouraged everyone to donate as generously as they possibly can.
I'm sure it's the same around the World. I don't mean this as a "Pollyanna" statement, but it almost feels as if this is the one thing that just might be able to unite us all in a joint effort to help. Because, if it doesn't - what real hope is there for the human spirit? Whatever one's religious persuasion, "There but for the grace of God/s go I " is a phrase that must be in all of our hearts as we approach 2005 tonight.
I feel indescribably said as I sit here on this beautiful sunny Sydney summer's day watching a benign ocean gently roll in & out. My heart goes out to everyone touched by this tragedy and I wish for them the strength& courage to survive, endure and recover - and for us lucky ones, and we are ALL the lucky ones, the will to stay with them, helping in what ever way we can, long beyond these first numbing days & weeks.
To you and yours, Thorsten, and the other BTF "Family", I wish you love, peace, health & hope in 2005.
Robyn