Humanitarian and medical aid organised by Medecins Sans Frontieres is being loaded onto the Greenpeace flagship, Rainbow Warrior.
Our flagship, the Rainbow Warrior, is currently assisting the
French organisation Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) in delivering
emergency relief aid. Greenpeace activists have been involved in
the relief effort in India, Indonesia, Thailand and elsewhere since
December 26. Although we are not an aid organisation, we felt this
was the best way we could contribute most effectively. The Rainbow
Warrior was already in the region and access to many of the most
remote and isolated areas is only possible by ship.
Environmental impacts
Now, we are also beginning to explore the possibilities of
contributing to assessments of the environmental impacts caused by
the tsunami.
Initial reports indicate that natural ecological systems such as
coral reefs, mangroves and wetlands have suffered extensive
impacts. Important research facilities for studying and monitoring
these environments are reportedly also severely damaged.
This tsunami has highlighted the vulnerability of the sensitive
marine environments, such as mangroves, that are the breeding
grounds for many marine species and that represent the livelihood
of thousands of communities that depend on them for their
survival.
The United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) is undertaking a
full environmental impact assessment of this natural disaster, and
this, in conjunction with the various other initiatives underway,
should lead to a good understanding of the scale and extent of the
damage.
Redeveloping for the future
It seems that healthy mangroves and coral reefs formed an
essential defence against the tsunami. Damage appears to be much
worse in areas where these natural defences were destroyed or
degraded by shrimp farming and irresponsible coastal development
for industry and tourism. Any recovery effort should ensure the
conservation and restoration of these vital coastal ecosystems.
From the point of view of the protection of human life in such
an extreme event, but also considering the resilience of ecological
systems, it is essential that redevelopment proceeds with this in
mind.
Of course right now we must give our efforts to those who have
suffered in this tragedy. We have and will continue to offer
support to MSF during the relief effort.
But as the most urgent needs are met, and the focus falls more
clearly upon redevelopment and reconstruction, then we will
contribute to recovery efforts to ensure that the approach to
reconstruction addresses both short and longer term social and
environmental needs.
More:
Read updates from the Rainbow Warrior in our weblog
MSF disaster relief work in
the region.
To find out how you can help visit these sites:
Oxfam
UNICEF
UNHCR
Red Cross/Red Crescent
Save the
Children
Action Aid
Also on the ground is the Indonesian Forum for the
Environment (WALHI).
Read more in
The Guardian.