AMSAHK Newsletter
Volume 1; Issue No. 7; 15 April 2005

The Tsuanmi and its Afterglow - It's in Our Hands

Four and a half months have passed us by since the tragedy of the earthquake and tsunami in South Asia. In this last issue of the series featuring this catastrophe, let’s review the last few issues as well as reflect upon the latest developments in the region. We will also hear some reflections from local medical students on this alarming crisis.

The earthquake and tsunami in South Asia shocked everyone in the world on Boxing Day last December. What stunned the planet was not only the terrifying extent of casualties or the heart-pounding scenes on the TV screen, but also the realization that civilization could be so vulnerable in the face of nature – infrastructures collapsed, beaches and houses washed away, deaths rose on logarithmic scales, all in a matter of seconds. Samuel Chan, a year one medical student from HKU, describes his emotions here.

“I never knew what you watched on TV could be so real to you, especially when one of the people that you take granted of seeing everyday, can get swept away overnight”

“When I heard the news, I was completely shocked. People affected by the tsunami had to endure so much pain. However there was nothing I could do but donate money to charities.” Tommy Yip from CUHK pointed out exactly what many people felt at that time. Indeed, perhaps the most dreadful bit about the tragedy was not the minutes it took to hit – but was what happened afterwards.

Miracles did happen with people around the world showing the humanity of our species. There was love and care, not riots or robbery. Locals and foreigners alike helped search for the missing ones and shared what they had with one another, as if they belonged to the same family. Citizens all over the world showed their concern by launching the largest fund-raising campaign ever of this scale. It was a rare if not unique moment when the whole planet was united for a common goal – to do what they could to help innocent strangers whose lives had been destroyed. Clara Siu, a colleague of Samuel, recalled.

“Upon the dark shadows of the tsunami, there radiates the light of humanity.”

There were indeed many touching moments; that the mega-campaign raised the largest disaster relief fund ever in history was a testament of our compassion.

As time went by, reconstruction and recovery began in the region. The wreckage was slowly removed and cleared of. The process of reconstruction steadily went on. Tourists began to return. As things began to look up, nature played its biggest trick right on the eve of April Fool’s Day. Another earthquake shook the region. The nightmare resurfaced before our eyes after four and a half months of peaceful days. Although this time no tsunamis hit, the gruesome memories quickly put everyone into a state of panic. Tears and screams filled the region as nature enjoyed the effect of its nasty trick.

But perhaps it is also time for us to reflect upon ourselves. Perhaps this was no trick. Was it instead a grim reminder of the respect we must pay to Mother Nature that we have so complacently neglected?

“The tsunami disaster was not just a lesson for political leaders and scientists, but was also one for everyone else on the globe - to think about the meaning of life and power of love and care.” Fiona Chan, a year one medical student from CUHK concluded.

In this final issue, we thank you - our faithful readers for your attention on our tsunami report, and we hope to bring better coverage on world health issues and events in the coming future. To end the series, we would like to quote an extract from the lyrics of the song “We are the World”.

There comes a time when we heed a certain call
When the world must come together as one
There are people dying
and it's time to lend a hand to life
The greatest gift of all
We can't go on pretending day by day
that someone, somewhere will soon make a change
We are all a part of God's great big family
and the truth, you know, love is all we need.