"I have been conversing with many people, as you will have realised. I have not shared my reflections just yet, nor have I shared all the gleanings,mainly because of the sensitivity of the situation. I feel that once I have held conversations with many more people, and the situation settles, it might be easier to reflect more openly.
This issue is vast and has very deep roots. There are many questions to pursue. I see this as a project that will reach into the past in order to even begin to understand the present, let alone contemplate the future.
The evacuees are presently dealing with the crisis situation, and entering into a temporary phase of coping, during which they will need to decide on future arrangements, all of which have, and will, exert a profound influence on their lives. There appear to be many stakeholders, some apparently more trustworthy than others, who also play a role in the lives of the evacuees,
and one another. Common to all, is the trauma that they have experienced.
Some people, who are not involved, prefer to maintain a distance, others are indifferent, while others tend to apportion blame. Fear, misinformation, lack of information, and withdrawal on account of there being just too many crises to contemplate appear to be some of the reasons for this apparent apathy. Some would even site experiencing what appears to be a "donor fatigue" syndrome as a reason to remain distant. Legal implications also
appear to be a reason for reluctance to lend a hand. People would sooner voices their feelings in a telephone or face to face conversation than comment publicly.
I have been deeply moved by the willingness of people to speak openly not only of their recent experiences, but also their past and their feelings regarding the past, present and future. Interestingly, they have mostly launched directly into conversation without any introductions until it was
time to part.
There are indications that there will yet be many more conversations,especially since thousands of people have been affected. Many decisions will be made by the evacuees, landlords, shelter personnel, municipal officials, courts, representatives, and various donors, in the short, medium and long term. For example, the municipality has paid 3 months rental at one place,
others are still being accommodated in shelters, others are possibly still on the streets, while yet others have made their own varied temporary arrangements. The courts have ordered that the building, Schubart Park, be refurbished within 10 months. Some may find it difficult to adjust to the different circumstances, or to abide by the rules set by the various abodes.
Many have experienced substantial loss of income during this period of upheaval. They find themselves in "new" communities, which may well change again in the near future. These are all basic matters regarding survival.
The road ahead appears to be distant and long."
This issue is vast and has very deep roots. There are many questions to pursue. I see this as a project that will reach into the past in order to even begin to understand the present, let alone contemplate the future.
The evacuees are presently dealing with the crisis situation, and entering into a temporary phase of coping, during which they will need to decide on future arrangements, all of which have, and will, exert a profound influence on their lives. There appear to be many stakeholders, some apparently more trustworthy than others, who also play a role in the lives of the evacuees,
and one another. Common to all, is the trauma that they have experienced.
Some people, who are not involved, prefer to maintain a distance, others are indifferent, while others tend to apportion blame. Fear, misinformation, lack of information, and withdrawal on account of there being just too many crises to contemplate appear to be some of the reasons for this apparent apathy. Some would even site experiencing what appears to be a "donor fatigue" syndrome as a reason to remain distant. Legal implications also
appear to be a reason for reluctance to lend a hand. People would sooner voices their feelings in a telephone or face to face conversation than comment publicly.
I have been deeply moved by the willingness of people to speak openly not only of their recent experiences, but also their past and their feelings regarding the past, present and future. Interestingly, they have mostly launched directly into conversation without any introductions until it was
time to part.
There are indications that there will yet be many more conversations,especially since thousands of people have been affected. Many decisions will be made by the evacuees, landlords, shelter personnel, municipal officials, courts, representatives, and various donors, in the short, medium and long term. For example, the municipality has paid 3 months rental at one place,
others are still being accommodated in shelters, others are possibly still on the streets, while yet others have made their own varied temporary arrangements. The courts have ordered that the building, Schubart Park, be refurbished within 10 months. Some may find it difficult to adjust to the different circumstances, or to abide by the rules set by the various abodes.
Many have experienced substantial loss of income during this period of upheaval. They find themselves in "new" communities, which may well change again in the near future. These are all basic matters regarding survival.
The road ahead appears to be distant and long."
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