Tsunami and globalization

The worldwide help after the Indian Ocean tsunami offers us a chance to reconsider the need for common respect for each life, irrespective of geographic differences, at a time of globalization, says an article by Gu Shu in the Oriental Morning Post. An excerpt follows:

For quite some time, we have been hearing bad things about globalization, which has been blamed for the widening gap between the rich and the poor.

However, in the aftermath of the Indian Ocean tsunami, we couldn't help noticing that advanced communications have greatly improved people's awareness that they are living on the same planet. Hours after the tsunami hit the South Asian region, the entire world was informed and quickly came to the rescue through the United Nations and other international organizations.

But the significance of globalization goes beyond this.

In a time of globalization, respect for the equality of life is regarded as a fundamental moral standard. Despite their differences of race, nationality, profession and background, every one is equal in life. When lives are saved in catastrophes, there follows the task of guaranteeing that survivors are kept warm, well-fed and provided with medical care. We are very glad to note that this is the attitude held by nations and people assisting the tsunami victims.

Every nation and every individual, rich and poor alike, should regard the rescuing of victims as their obligation. Even though there are conflicts and unfairness in today's world, there also exist ever closer ties. Geographic distance has shrunk. The notion of judging people based on the places they come from is outdated.

In charity's name

Individuals and organizations need to enhance their protection against fraudulent use of the names of charities, according to an article by Zhang Guifeng in the Youth Daily. An except follows:

A donor for Indian Ocean tsunami survivors found, when searching the Internet for ways to contact the China Charity Federation (CCF), that there was a fake website using the organization's name. Despite an authentic address, the website, www.chinacharity.cn.net, contains fake information about the donation hotlines, accounts and F&A e-mail address.

When Chinese are sympathizing with tsunami victims and chipping into the world-wide donation wave, such actions are intolerable.

However, while we condemn such acts, the CCF also needs to reflect on its lack of self-protection.

As a matter of fact, the owner of the website teamed up with the CCF to collect charity funds during the 1998 deluges that swept Northeast China and the Yangtze River region. After the campaign, the CCF has repeatedly asked the website owner to stop using the website, but without success. Obviously, such a lapse has enabled the website to make use of CCF's reputation over the ensuing six years.

Charity calls for love and kindness among people but it is by no means a synonym for weakness. On the contrary, for the further development of charitable causes, both individuals and organizations need to strengthen self-protection. One fraudulent case hurts not only individual donors and charity organizations, but the cause of charity itself.