Another World, Different Outcome
Countries that were colonized by Great Britain were left a superior legacy for their futures than, for example, countries colonized by France. Great Britain's punctilious establishment of civil service and of legal and juridical systems reflecting their own, have done much to ensure that its former colonies have been extraordinarily successful, by and large.For France's former colonies, not quite so much. The condition of Haiti is one prime example of the latter.
Considered by far the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, plagued by political violence, lack of adequate civic infrastructure, and gross financial insecurity, Haiti has represented as a pitiful breadbasket of need since its inception as a colony for agricultural-working slaves and on into eventual independence. When that massive earthquake struck Haiti the destruction was deeply invasive with dreadful loss of lives and infrastructure.
New Zealand has now suffered a massive quake, causing widespread destruction in its second-largest city, Christchurch. The damage is also deep and widespread, with buildings crashed into rubble, crushing vehicles parked below. Roads are impassable, littered with glass from windows broken in the tremendous earth shock, and electricity has been cut in most of the city.
But the country has a Civil Defence Ministry that knows its job, and which has been activated to react usefully and purposefully. The quake was recorded at 7.4 on the Richter scale, centered at a depth of 16 kilometres, and roughly 30 kilometres west of Christchurch, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Roughly analogous to the recent Haiti quake statistics.
But New Zealand does not match Haiti's lax regulatory building codes nor its reputation for weak code enforcement. Many buildings have been demolished, including shops, and all manner of businesses. Although people have suffered minor injuries from falling objects there were no deaths. Two individuals were admitted to hospital with serious injuries, one hit by a destroyed chimney, the other cut by falling glass.
"We've got considerable road damage, there's gas leaks, there's been damaged water pipes, we've got sewage in houses and quite a lot of power lines and power poles down. It's very unsafe to be out and about." And aftershocks ongoing, some of considerable measure. Police confirm that damage is widespread throughout Christchurch, and sewer lines damaged for the 340,000 city residents.
The quake, like that in Haiti, was felt throughout the South Island the lower North Island. As in Haiti, there are problems with looters. There will be no roving bands of criminals and women fearful of being raped. A competent administration, and a population that knows it can depend upon its government to act quickly and decisively makes an entire world of difference.
No appeals for international assistance have yet gone out to the global community. Contrasts in the scope of the events and the fall-out of their destructive force, and the impact on the country and their populations cannot possibly be more distinctly different.
One country victimized by a succession of corrupt, self-serving autocrats. The other ably lead by reputable, trusted administrators.
Labels: Environment, Human Relations, Political Realities, World News
posted by Pieface @ Saturday, September 04, 2010
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