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Citation |
Spiegel PB. J. Am. Med. Assoc. JAMA 2005; 293(15): 1915-1918. |
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Affiliation |
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Geneva, Switzerland. spiegel@unhcr.ch |
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Copyright |
(Copyright © 2005, American Medical Association) |
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DOI |
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PMID |
15840867 |
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Abstract |
The massive tsunami that affected 11 countries over 2 continents, killed approximately 220,000 people, and made millions of others destitute is a tragedy that deserves all of the media attention, funds, and response it has received. The current crises in Darfur, Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), among others, deserve the same, but are not getting it. Why does a natural disaster invoke such a heartfelt and generous response from the news media, governments, United Nations (UN) agencies, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), and the private and public sectors, whereas complex emergencies do not? The answer is relatively straightforward -- response to natural disaster is easier and less politically risky. |