Reply #6: Here We Go Again...

[KharmaTrain]

There have been various posts from people who have experience with airlifts and how difficult these things are for various reasons.

First...there was a lack of any civil authority...no security and a drop would not only create a riot but endanger those on the ground. There needs to be a distribution system on the ground for an airlift to be effective and that was difficult considering most roads were impassible.

Next, you had to coordinate such a drop...you just don't load MREs and let loose. Overall, I think the gear-up over the past few days has been extraordinary...and we're starting to see positive results. It's not like a hurricane where you had several days notice...this disaster happened quickly and it took a day or so to figure out what was needed and where. Again, we're dealing with a country with little infrastructure and destruction over a wide area...order had to be established, materials located and put on ships and planes and then to find ways to distribute the aid where it goes to those who need it the most.

I'm proud of this country's quick response to this crisis....from the millions being raised by individuals to the hard work being done by government and private sector people on the ground. This was a difficult situation from the get-go and I suspect we've turned the corner on the immediate threats...but this is the start. Now let's see what plans there are to help this country build (there wasn't much to rebuild) a better and stronger country.