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Al-Ahram Weekly 26 Aug. - 1 Sep. 1999 Issue No. 444 
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Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Al-Ahram Weekly 26 Aug. - 1 Sep. 1999 Issue No. 444
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| Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Egypt Region International Economy Opinion Focus Culture Features Profile Travel Living Sports People Time Out Chronicles Cartoons Letters Defying nature
Turkey's terrifying earthquake has sent shock waves throughout the region. In Syria and Lebanon, many people panicked and decided to spend the night outdoors following a rumour that an earthquake was imminent. Many people in Egypt are also wondering whether Turkey's deadly experience means that a chain of similar quakes will hit the region.Government officials in Arab countries were quick to deny that we are facing any danger. One Arab official even claimed "that the tectonic plaque on which the Arab countries lie is stable and does not face the danger of earthquakes." The Arab peoples, however, no longer trust these immediate and often baseless reassurances, which only aim at confirming that some governments in our part of the world believe they have everything under control, including natural phenomena on this scale.
We can learn many lessons from the traumatic Turkish experience. Most of the Turkish newspapers criticised their government for moving too slowly to save the tens of thousands buried under the rubble, waiting for someone to save them. There was no contingency or rescue plan to fall back on in a disaster situation. Only when such catastrophes occur do governments start talking of immediate, extensive measures to deal with similar situations in the future. The price has usually been paid by the people, however, long before such plans are considered, let alone implemented.
The corruption of local council officials, who accept bribes to allow contractors to build without adequate safety checks or building permits, also seems to be a regional phenomenon. Following the 1992 earthquake which hit Egypt, killing more than 500 people, it was also discovered that many buildings, especially modern ones, were built in violation of all rules. Contractors looking for a quick profit did not take into consideration the thousands who might lose their lives as a result of their rapacity.
Earthquakes are indeed a natural phenomenon, but many precautions could be taken to minimise the damage, and governments are responsible for protecting the lives of their peoples.
Meanwhile, it will always be an irony that the palaces of the wealthy and powerful are rarely affected by such disasters. Once again, it is the poor who have to pay the heaviest price.
