WE MUST CULTIVATE A HOLISTIC APPROACH WHEN DEALING WITH CALAMITIES AND DISASTERS We had a stakeholders brainstorming session, at Ampath Port Victoria, where we focused on how local leadership can play key role in PMTCT ( Prevention of Mother To Child Transmission of Hiv ), during pregnancy, delivery and when breastfeeding. Among other issues, the issue of economically empowering women to enable them have a direct say in matters relating to their health and those of their young babies. We broadly looked at some of the hinderances towards full ecomic empowerment of our people. We pondered on the historical fishing industry that is predominantly managed by men. It emerged that during its lucrative times, the Bunyala fishermen could spend all their days earning, being sure that the following day would bring in more!. Only a few people thought of investment or savings. Women had no say then. The other issue attributed to our poor economic advancement was linked to the dependence syndrome that Bunyala developed. This was due to the perennial flooding phenomenon that hit Bunyala for so many years, destroying property, and live hoods. Following which relief agencies and programs were initiated. It is obvious that these interventions were well intentioned. However there are certain things that were overlooked. This is the area i want to focus on in these deliberation. In the world of community development, humanitarian intervention must revolve around two intervention terminologies : RELIEF AND RELEASE. It is important to understand the meaning behind these words. Relief These are the immediate, spontaneous aid or assistance that is given to mitigate the adverse effects of a calamity or disaster . Especially when the said calamity has destroyed peoples property and source of live hoods. These aid or assistance is usually tangible commodities, like food, goods or even cash. It is usually temporary. Release These involves other non tangibles; services offered, information shared for purposes of educating, guiding, directing, training etc. all geared towards enabling the affected people to be able to not only cope but also be able to stand on their own feet. Empowerment. Very key. The problem has been focusing on relief efforts and ignoring the release aspect. These are two sides of the same coin. They complement each other. It is the complete package. However in the event of a calamity or disaster, relief must come first! U can just imagine going to flood victims and start teaching and training on all economic strategies and coping mechanisms, while they are hungry? Give me a break! Jesus taught us as much, for our Christian friends, in feeding of five thousand. Jesus turned to the disciples, the change agents, and said to them, Give these people food! The rest of that story is in the bible. However it is important to note that Jesus asked what the people had (very important) and used what a small boy had to multiply and feed everybody. Do you notice that Jesus employed both relief and release? It is important always to take note that people invidently have the capacity to solve their own problems. What is needed is to stand with them in their time of need, help them see beyond the immediate. On the current, recent calamity that befell our people, where we lost many our beloved brothers and sisters, in a boat accident, i want to applaud all Bunyala people who responded spontaneously and generously for a job well done. Thank you the Budalangi constituency office for coordinating these efforts. It is my appeal to the committees appointed to oversee the funeral and burial arrangements, that we realise the ones we are helping here are the bereaved families. They are still alive. This is obviously an extremely difficult time for these families . Therefore it is important that we also put in place release strategies. In these case let us involve the helping professionals in our midst ( the CHWs, Counselors, Social workers, psychologists etc) to help these families through the grieving process. So that they can cope and move on. Also after the burials we will need these people to make followup visits, assess the situation in those families one month down and advise accordingly. Against these background i recommend that we establish and or, strengthen a functional disaster management committee(s ), through which we can explore best approaches, strategies in the spirit of disaster preparedness. My heartfelt condolences to all bereaved families. Sad moment indeed. God bless Bunyala Nagaya Moses, Social work supervisor, Ampath Port Victoria.
Posted on: Fri, 05 Sep 2014 12:03:23 +0000
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