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TechnoratiIt's been a whirlwind 72 hours, from being hastily wait listed on flights full of journos, medics and aid workers, to arriving in Padang and rushing straight from the airport into the thick of the worst hit areas. I've learned a lot about myself, and even more about the incredible capacity of human beings, both in the resilience of the survivors and in the spirit of those precious souls rebuilding their lives. And I've promised myself that I will never forget the people I've met and the stories I've heard. I will remember the staff of World Vision and the people of Padang in my prayers as I leave this place.
I cannot believe that just over 3 days ago I was sitting on my couch, watching TV and now, my time in Padang is rapidly coming to a close. It's an incredible phenomenon to be able to count my total hours of sleep this week on less than 2 hands, but even more incredible to look around World Vision's headquarters at two in the morning and realise that almost everyone else here has probably slept even less.
My last two blogs were all about me, and how I felt, and how I interacted with the situation here in Padang, this blog is devoted to those who will remain here long after I am back in Melbourne. Currently I'm sitting at World Vision's Emergency HQ in Padang. Throughout the day there is a constant stream of highly trained staff coming and going. Program staff and assessment teams coordinate their efforts with other NGOs and the government to ensure that the neediest families are identified and provided for. Communicators travel back and forth to the field collecting images, videos and stories to help raise money throughout the world for this tragic situation. Logistics teams arrange everything from ensuring electricity, bottled water and food are in ready supply, on top of arranging countless airport pick ups and drop-off, booking accommodation, hiring drivers and local guides and all with no fuss, no wasted time and at times a very limited budget.
Many people like me constantly come from overseas support offices, some to provide technical assistance, some to gather further communications, some to manage media efforts and ensure the stories here get told to the world. For us stepping off the plane and into a buzzing environment, like the 24-hour ‘Situation-Room' that the World Vision Emergency HQ is reminiscent of, is both strange and exhilarating. It takes about 10 minutes for the local staffer's level of dedication to become infectious and by the first night you find yourself joining the rest of the team, still awake long after midnight compiling photos and videos, emailing updates and resources around the globe and planning for the next day to ensure that we all make the most of every 24 hours given to us in this relief effort.
Again, it is mind boggling to me that I am tiring badly after only keeping up this pace for 3 days, whereas the local World Vision Indonesia staff and the many Emergency Response experts will likely be in the region for weeks and months to come. No doubt the pace will slow somewhat once the situation stabilizes; the hectic media frenzy is already abating as the world's focus turns elsewhere, but one thing that I know will not change is the dedication of the ground staff. As the desperately needed donations continue to come in from around the world, it is these staff who are entrusted to ensure that every dollar is used to full effect, that every possible measure is taken to restore life to the region and that every child gets a chance at a life in all its fullness. Continue »
