Disaster Reporting vs. Relief
I don't understand.
How can camera crews and reporters get to the epicenter of Haiti's earthquake disaster within hours of the event, yet supplies cannot?
Are you telling me those network news helicopters don't have room for a few containers of water, protein bars, and a relief worker? Are you telling me those choppers don't make several trips into the area every day?
Riddle me this: What are those reporters eating and drinking while they're on location?
This feeling of "wrongness" struck me during reports from New Orleans after Katrina. Someone interviewed a man walking the streets carrying his own feces in a plastic bag because there was no water or sewer. Did they offer that man safe passage to shelter? No. They packed up their cameras and left in a helicopter.
I think it's wrong that these non-essential people get there so much quicker (easier?) than very necessary people.
What am I missing?
If reporters can be "embedded" in war zones, why can't relief supplies be "embedded" in a network helicopter?
I don't understand. I really don't.
(I'm starting to envision Katie Couric wearing a flak jacket loaded with bottled water and beef jerky while she's carrying a microphone. Hm...)
Jan 19, 2010 at 3:45 p.m.
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The handling and shipping of non-monetary items is often far more in cost than the value of the items themselves...not to mention the logistics of the shipping, storage facilities for the items when they arrive, etc. That's especially true when items are donated that aren't immediately needed. There's much more involved that many don't consider when stuff is donated vs. money which can be directed to immediate needs and into local, already hard hit economies.
Jan 19, 2010 at 2:02 p.m.
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Great question. I am poor and wish to donate goods but have found that NO ONE in the region is accepting non-monetary goods for the relief efforts. They all want money, and the supplies people donate money for still aren't reaching the people. If the reporters can make it in, they should be the first line of help for these people.
Jan 15, 2010 at 5:11 p.m.
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I wholeheartedly agree with your question. Maybe somehow they are bringing relief. I'm perplexed by this.
On a not-so-serious note, maybe the American diplomats aren't bringing supplies because, well, Hillary's pantsuits don't have pockets.
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