Volunteering was something else I wanted to get a better idea of while I was up there. Family responsibilities meant that it wasn't possible to volunteer over golden week, but also media had such conflicting reports about aid and volunteers - too many volunteers, not enough volunteers, too much inappropriate aid, totally inadequate aid, petrol supplies and roads restored, petrol supplies and roads not restored. What to make of it?
I suspect it's all true. It's a huge area and because something is true in one place, doesn't necessarily mean it is true in another, and vice versa.
I think some general principles hold true for the whole area.
- to be useful there you would probably need to have the following
a) own transport,
b) own supplies - inc water, food, boots, gloves, clothes - it can be cold and wet. It is not possible to rely on shops being by the coast.
c) a clear purpose for being there - being somewhere where there is enough organisation to be able to tell people what needs to be done.
d) a positive compassionate spirit
Volunteers that can do all of the above I am sure are sorely needed in most parts of affected areas.
One also would need to be mindful of
a) potential for lack of hygiene,
b) not creating extra rubbish there - PET bottles, food wrappers, hygiene supplies.
c) I'd recommend menstruating women who wanted to go, consider investing in a mooncup http://www.mooncup.co.uk/ over traditional sanitary options, from a hygiene point of view and from a rubbish disposal point of view.
d) being empathetic - speaking for myself, I can't fathom the depth of trauma, expecting people to talk about their suffering, taking photos conspicuously, can create more trauma. Finding the right balance between sensitivity and being a cheering/ positive/ motivating presence I imagine isn't easy.
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