As we in the West enjoy our Christmas excesses, to one degree or another, spare a thought for the many people around the World who currently have little cheer. Christmas is supposed to be the Season of Goodwill but we get so bogged down with gifts, food, drink and more we tend to forget that in some parts of the World it is business as usual, and not good business.
One country's disaster, in particular, should still be fresh in our minds, and that is the plight of the Philippine Islands and its people.
Last week the country suffered severe flash flooding, on the back of a typhoon, and the country was devastated. The death toll is continuing to rise and many people are still listed as missing.
Search media sources for Philippine updates and you will find that they are thin on the ground. This will be partly because it is the Christmas period but also as there have been other tragedies in spite of the fact that it is the Holidays. Most of the other terrible events have been at the hands of mankind though, rather than a natural disaster. You could argue that the Philippine flash flooding was also due to mankind as our behaviour on this planet leaves a lot to be desired.
Whatever you believe the fact is that many Philippine residents will begin 2012 living in makeshift homes, experiencing severe hardship. Perhaps as well as sparing them a thought you could also spare some hard cash in the form of a donation. There are many places you can donate such as:
The Irish Red Cross..
DEC, disasters emergency appeal..
Think of it as an extra Christmas gift, but this time to a stranger, or two. The people of the Philippines are predominantly Roman Catholic and usually celebrate Christmas fully. This year it will have been so very different.
One country's disaster, in particular, should still be fresh in our minds, and that is the plight of the Philippine Islands and its people.
Last week the country suffered severe flash flooding, on the back of a typhoon, and the country was devastated. The death toll is continuing to rise and many people are still listed as missing.
Search media sources for Philippine updates and you will find that they are thin on the ground. This will be partly because it is the Christmas period but also as there have been other tragedies in spite of the fact that it is the Holidays. Most of the other terrible events have been at the hands of mankind though, rather than a natural disaster. You could argue that the Philippine flash flooding was also due to mankind as our behaviour on this planet leaves a lot to be desired.
Whatever you believe the fact is that many Philippine residents will begin 2012 living in makeshift homes, experiencing severe hardship. Perhaps as well as sparing them a thought you could also spare some hard cash in the form of a donation. There are many places you can donate such as:
The Irish Red Cross..
DEC, disasters emergency appeal..
Think of it as an extra Christmas gift, but this time to a stranger, or two. The people of the Philippines are predominantly Roman Catholic and usually celebrate Christmas fully. This year it will have been so very different.
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