Disasters bring out the best and worst in us. Greed and fear,
generosity and courage are painted on the same canvas of
history. A few years ago, Americans in New Orleans and other
Gulf states were ravaged by Hurricane Katrina. Worse, the number
of people who suffered needlessly because of our disjointed
response and underestimation of the catastrophic impact on all
the elements of society (especially the poor), became the main
focus of the news. Recently an earthquake destroyed thousands of
homes and killed nearly a thousand people in West Sumatra. The
Indonesian government and Indonesian Red Cross combined and
coordinated swift responses to the disaster. One of the first
steps they took began even as rescue efforts continued. Food,
medicine and temporary large tents which served as hospitals,
and canteens arrived within hours and days. In the first 48
hours 1,500 family tents, 3,000 tarpaulins, 5,000 blankets and
sleeping mats as well as 1000 hygiene kits were dispatched to
the affected areas (1). The Red Cr