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The rage brought by typhoon Yolanda and Pablo is not the
end for those
people living in the affected areas of Mindanao. Although the
storm subsided
but still thousands of people were impacted by its wrath
creating violence while
in the process of redevelopment. The devastation of Yolanda and
Pablo became
a global concern.
Typhoon Yolanda and Pablo inundated geographical areas of
Davao
Oriental, Compostela Valley Province and Davao del Norte. People
from all
walks of life were so concerned and eager to offer help in
order to restore the
damage done to the peaceful life of the populace and to their
properties. It was
a call for duty to help. The help became everyone’s
responsibility regardless of
whether they are in the authority to provide help or
not.
Everybody wanted to help the victims of the typhoon. One gave
sympathy by giving donations in the form of food and clothing
and others gave financial
assistance to rebuild what was destroyed, from infrastructure to
agriculture.
Victims of the harsh violence of Yolanda and Pablo brought
them to almost all
forms of pain and suffering.
Consequently, violence brings forth suffering due to devastation
not only
to properties but also to many lives as well. Many of the
families lost their
loved ones and lost their only means of livelihood. Their
traumatic experiences
(emotional aspect) affect both mind and body and continue to
hunt their
sleepless nights. Thus, psychological procedures were given to
the victims for
them to overcome and manage the effect of the storm’s vexation
encounter.
The pain and suffering they experienced both physical and
emotional are
unwanted. They might be able to overcome the physical aspect as
there are
development programs introduced from the government,
non-government
organization, people’s organization, foundation and private
individuals and
companies for the reparation and restitution of its destruction.
Shelters were
being provided. Medical assistance was offered. Health
services were delivered.
The provisions afforded by the government and all other
Samaritans to
the victims of Typhoon Yolanda and Pablo reflects genuine
generosity. The
victims were equally provided their fair share of help.
Donors gave without
reciprocity. It was an act done without reservation and without
condition
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especially those that were not in the authority (government) for
they can opt to
help or not. It is an implicit and expressed responsibility of
the government to
extend help to its citizenry in times of need and in
distress.
As reflected in this act, theI (helpers/donors) had
seen the face of the
other(Typhoon Yolanda and Pablo victims). The responsibility of
theI was
triggered because of the destituteness of theface of the other.
Goodness is an
innate nature of human beings. This goodness though is only
manifested
depending on how theI perceive certain condition or
event.
Apparently, the condition that the typhoon showcased
emerged both
responsibility for theIand the face of the
other. The face of the other cried
out for help and theIperceived the need for help. The
recognition of the needed
help becomes an act (expressed responsibility to help) by
theI towards the
face of the other. The help received by the face
of the otherfrom theI should
be acknowledged (implicit responsibility to take care of
it). Hence, the
reciprocity of responsibility occurs.
Violence exist when theI provides help with
reservation and condition,
i.e. that theI gets something in return for the help
offered. Helping with
ulterior motives creates violence. While on the other hand, when
the face of
the other thought that the help received is less than the
help that could be
afforded to them, there violence transpired.
Moreover, even in the act of kindness there is violence. An act
made out
of love does matter. After all, it is love that waters down the
violence of justice.
Love truly responds to the call of altruistic servitude.
