One Catastrophic Reminder
The recent crisis in Guatemala reminded me of the Mt. Pinatubo eruption in the early 90s.
Prior to the eruption, there were already predictions of the catastrophe (after being slumber for 500 years) so the areas near it were evacuated before the start of the eruption occurred, exactly 27 years ago this month. Its impact, however, did not spare us as the days and years passed by. On the day it erupted, I witnessed it despite being hundred miles away. I was on-duty at a rural hospital. Our place was blanketed with dark clouds. What we thought was only a heavy downpour of rain turned out to be mixed with sulphur dioxide ashes spewed out. It was very dark even though it was supposed to be daytime. Confusion over the evening-like climate crept in. Someone even asked, "Is it doomsday?!".
The following day, we found out of the massive extent of Mt. Pinatubo's eruption and that there were towns, villages (and people) buried. It was very sad. There were people, especially children, who came in to the emergency room with parts of their bodies covered with ashes and got burned just because they unknowingly touched or played with the "white sand". Respiratory illnesses were common, too, because of the noxious gas emitted. The crisis was coincidentally followed by typhoons causing mud flows then endless stories of despair from the losses of lives, properties, and livelihood.
Up to this day, the affected areas, especially the areas buried will take years to be useful again. Meanwhile, people managed to survive and thrive.They even ended up making indigenous products made of sulphur ashes (lahar). That's what you call resilience! And I believe that with the Guatemalans' faith and strength, they will be able to pull up and go through this, too.
The following day, we found out of the massive extent of Mt. Pinatubo's eruption and that there were towns, villages (and people) buried. It was very sad. There were people, especially children, who came in to the emergency room with parts of their bodies covered with ashes and got burned just because they unknowingly touched or played with the "white sand". Respiratory illnesses were common, too, because of the noxious gas emitted. The crisis was coincidentally followed by typhoons causing mud flows then endless stories of despair from the losses of lives, properties, and livelihood.
Up to this day, the affected areas, especially the areas buried will take years to be useful again. Meanwhile, people managed to survive and thrive.They even ended up making indigenous products made of sulphur ashes (lahar). That's what you call resilience! And I believe that with the Guatemalans' faith and strength, they will be able to pull up and go through this, too.
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