Editorial
Flood relief operation
Private sector needs to come forward
As floodwaters continue to pose widespread difficulties to human and animal lives, we find efforts being made to reach succour to the worst-hit people in some areas. Evidently, what is being done is not enough. A large number of people still need to be removed to safer places; they need food, drinking water, clothes and medicine to survive the onslaught of floods. We are distressed at the outbreak of diarrhoea and cholera, especially among children. We know that many cases of diseases have gone unreported and the challenge is to reach out to them. Though at the moment relief efforts are being led primarily by the government organisations and the armed forces, some NGOs and political people have joined in. It is no doubt an encouraging sign, and there is no denying that all hands must join to help the unfortunate people in such times of dreadful misery. Indeed, the enormity of the problem requires concerted endeavour of all the sectors without any reservation whatsoever. Helping the helpless should be the only motivation. There has been a long tradition of the private sector coming forward in a massive way in providing succour to the victims of natural calamities. It was a common sight to find individuals, social clubs, sporting clubs, voluntary organisations, film, radio and television artistes' associations, banks, commercial organisations, multinational companies, teachers' associations and students' associations going to the remote areas with relief materials. They are evidently not as proactive as they were in the past and we feel the reasons behind their hesitancy need to be addressed. The government at the top like the chief adviser is persistently urging people to come forward in aid of flood victims but this is not apparently having the desired percolatory effect as the local law enforcement agencies are being fastidious in certain places asking questions to groups of relief distributors. This should be looked into and redressed by the local administrative authorities.
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