EDITORIAL - All for naught

 The availability or absence of calamity funds and the manner in which such funds and/or relief assistance is distributed in times of calamity may seem related. But they can also be two different things entirely, as we have been graphically shown by the Bohol quake experience.

In Bohol, more than the availability of funds or relief assistance, it is in the manner in which either or both are distributed that is proving to be a very big letdown. Worse, it is a disappointment that comes at the expense of the hapless victims.

It appears that in times of calamity, there is always a lack of an organized manner in which to deliver aid to where it is needed most. When roads and bridges are impassable, for instance, there is no immediate backup means of delivery, such as by air, which kicks promptly into place.

Even more glaringly, there is an almost total breakdown of communications, making one wonder why there seems to be no one in charge of informing the outside world that a particular areas has been isolated by a breakdown in infrastructure.

Often, it is the media that stumbles upon these isolated areas and bring their plight to the attention of the rest of the world. Where are the local disaster teams that are supposed to swing into action at the first onslaught of calamities?

And then, when help finally arrives, the system breaks down again, often because of tug-of-wars between relief providers and local officials over who gets to distribute the goods. If the intention is truly to help, does it really matter who gets to hand over the aid?

That it does matter to some must have something to do with the claim for credit afterward. And the only reason for this are the political stakes that somehow always seem to present an opportunity whenever there are calamities.

Whenever calamities happen, the need for assistance is always immediate. Such a need cannot bog down or be held hostage because no system exists to make delivery happen, or when such delivery gets snagged by fights over who gets to grab credit afterward. The whole purpose of prompt response vanishes altogether.