So far, the Kahramanmaras Earthquake in Turkey and Syria two weeks ago killed more than 46,800 people. That is significantly more than the combined populations of Los Gatos and Scott’s Valley. More than 1.05 million people were left homeless. That is significantly more than the population of San Jose. These incomprehensible statistics are likely to increase.
Adjacent societies are unable to accommodate so many displaced survivors. Many survivors need to relocate very far from home merely to survive. This is why so many other societies of other regions are so graciously and generously accommodating survivors and sharing resources.
Very few within our local Community have experienced such major disasters. Of those who have, some arrived here as refugees from such disasters. None have experienced such disasters locally, because nothing so majorly disastrous has ever happened here.
Fortunately, graciousness and generosity seem to be very common human attributes, even if resources are limited, and even among those who lack experience with disastrous events. This is very obvious within our own Community, and is why we help each other during and after storms, floods, mudslides, fires and earthquakes. Of course, difficulties need not be catastrophic to justify gracious response. Many provide food, clothing, shelter, bedding and all sorts of other resources for the less fortunate who are not necessarily affected by catastrophes.
It never gets old. Sometimes, the extreme generosity of the local Community seems to be very unique, and we are honored to benefit from it. Sometimes, other Communities throughout the World are just as remarkably generous.
News from Turkey and Syria will be unpleasant for quite a while. Recovery will be slow. Also, within our own Community, some will always be in need of assistance. There will always be difficulties somewhere. There will always be opportunities for generosity and graciousness.
We see that kind of graciousness and generosity after hurricanes. Others experience it after flood or earthquake. Sometimes, remembering what it’s like to offer help to another gives people a taste for doing so even when no disaster has struck.
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It seems to be instinctual for most people. Some of the most generous and gracious people lack unpleasant experience with disasters. It is as if they can somehow empathize with those in bad situations.
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Really bad times can bring out the best and worst in people. It’s wonderful to see so much of the best in response to the needs of the people of that area.
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Yes, but for major disasters, the best is not enough, which is why so much assistance is going to Turkey.
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It’s amazing to see how much of the world is giving aid of different kinds to the people there.
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Even Israel is sending assistance, merely because they happen to be neighbors.
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