What Have We Learn from the Asian Tsunami

It is extremely difficult for us here in Borneo to enjoy the year-end holiday season and to shepherd in the coming new year. Although Borneo is literally untouched and unshakened, the scale of the natural disaster really hit home with the fast rising death toll each day.

Some of us here may still be in disbelief that something so disastrous can happened so close to our home, but the horrific images on the television and other media helped to disseminate the true picture of the situation.

One look at this animation (which shows the wave of the tsunami moving outward from northern Sumatra and travelled some 750 miles to Sri Lanka and Eastern India in less than 2 hours) and we in Borneo can somehow feel how lucky and blessed we are sometimes. Not only are we living in the Land Below the Wind, but we are also in the Land away from the paths of the Ring of Fire.

We shouldn't take this for granted.

Additionally, we must bear in mind that the entire disaster will probably only get worst as the aftermath of disease and sickness will likely kills many more. Any disease outbreak may spread to other neighbouring unaffected region, including Borneo. We can only hope that the local and international aids arrives in time to check this. We, the lucky ones, can do our part too!

Check out the interactive SEA EAT Blog on how you can help the countless number of victims and displaced families.