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Discretion over valor

(China Daily)
Updated: 2008-05-21 07:18

With thousands of sympathetic souls serving emergency needs on the frontline in the worst earthquake-hit areas and many more eagerly waiting to join them, the safety of this group of people appears to be a matter of fresh concern.

We highly appreciate the exemplary camaraderie the compassionate volunteers have displayed.

Their intrepid presence at the disaster scenes not only delivers hope to the suffering victims, but also gives us additional confidence that our nation will emerge from the cruel test stronger.

To all of those contributing voluntary services in Wenchuan and neighboring areas, we extend our deep respect and gratitude.

Yet, we appeal to all of them, as well as those directing relief on the spots, to take safety considerations seriously in conducting their humanitarian missions.

National transport authorities have called on volunteers to avoid driving their own vehicles to the disaster zones. Red Cross sources are also recommending limits to volunteers' access to the most severely devastated regions.

They are not crying wolf.

Though all major transport lines to disaster zones are now restored, we keep receiving reports about landslides and fallen rocks cutting roads off. By now, seven vehicles have been buried on their way to or from disaster zones. Hundreds of lives could have been lost.

Rising temperatures, continuous precipitation and poor sanitary conditions greatly exacerbate difficulties in epidemic prevention. Incessant aftershocks, and the unstable barrier lakes add to the threats to all working there.

Since many of them have little professional expertise to handle crises following an earthquake, and the majority of them are poorly equipped, the civilian volunteers are almost as vulnerable as those they are helping.

We fully understand the volunteers' eagerness to help when our compatriots are in danger. We also know how acutely the victims need timely support. But we are aware, just as strongly, of the pressing need to organize and coordinate volunteer work in the quake areas so that volunteers do not expose themselves to avoidable dangers.

We therefore urge all volunteers to demonstrate due safety awareness so as to not inflict unnecessary burdens on the already-overstretched relief organizers.

We have lost too much. We cannot afford to lose more.

(China Daily 05/21/2008 page10)