I got a phone call from Rohit this morning/afternoon (my days are typically blurs. The sun was up). It was good to hear his voice finally, though I wish the circumstances were better.
As some of you may know, he's heavily involved in the The South East Asia Earthquake and Tsunami Blog, and the coordination of efforts which are helping to save lives. It's hard work, and it's good to know he's holding up well - as the rest of the team appears to be - but it is taxing work, and many people don't realize just how taxing it can be.
It's a disaster. People are screaming for help - some literally, some figuratively. The losses are overwhelming. The sense of duty drives people through these problems, helps them continue doing what is right - and it's easy to feel one is not having an effect. Maybe too easy.
But in responding to a disaster, one has to count the ones who have been saved. The disaster, the deaths, everything... these are things which cannot be avoided. It's the lives saved, the faces that will smile in a few weeks even after they cry - these are the things that must be treasured more than the losses.
To everyone working on relief in the region - be strong, continue to be strong, and remember the ones you have helped. You're needed now more than ever, and your every success is a victory snatched from the jaws of defeat.
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