REMARKS BY PRESIDENT McALEESE FOR THE RECEPTION FOR NGO’S INVOLVED IN THE ASIAN TSUNAMI RESPONSE
REMARKS BY PRESIDENT McALEESE FOR THE RECEPTION FOR NGO’S INVOLVED IN THE ASIAN TSUNAMI RESPONSE ÁRAS AN UACHTARÁIN
Dia dhíbh a chairde ‘s fáilte go léir chuig Áras an Uachtaráin tráthnóna.
Martin and I are grateful to have this opportunity to welcome you all here this afternoon to the Áras and to pay tribute to your wonderful work and that of your organisations in responding to the appalling disaster caused by the earthquake and tsunami in the Indian Ocean on St Stephen’s Day. I particularly welcome the man who became the face and indeed the heart of the Irish response, our Ambassador to Malaysia and Thailand, Dan Mulhall.
In a little while I will plant a tree as a permanent reminder to us all of that most terrible of natural disasters which took so many lives and injured countless more. The tree is an Irish oak and it will be located close to the Áras entrance gate you arrived through this afternoon, for everyone to see.
There are many who are not here today, but whose efforts I also want to acknowledge with gratitude. Some of you have actually been on the ground in the affected areas. Some I know have worked here in Ireland. Many of you work for aid agencies and others for the public service. Your dedication and efforts over the holiday period represents a rich vein of compassion, which also manifested itself in the outpouring of assistance from the Irish people as a whole. I wish to thank you all.
There are few words which remain unspoken in all our efforts to come to terms with the scale of the disaster, which has befallen the people of south Asia. The images and first-hand accounts have brought the reality of the impact into sharp relief for us all.
The scale of the destruction, its horrific impact on so many poor people in under-resourced countries, so many victims from our European partners, the tragic deaths of at least two of our own citizens, give the Indian Ocean disaster a unique character that has drawn us all in as shocked, saddened and sympathetic neighbours in a global village.
The scale of the loss of life has been immense. Almost 300,000 men, women, children have lost their lives. Millions of family members and extended communities are in mourning. The losses have been, as usual, disproportionately borne by the poorest. It would appear that they have also been borne disproportionately by women and children. Yet this tragedy has cut across the social classes and indeed across ethnicity. Families in Europe are united with families in Asia in a common grief.
The awesome and destructive power of nature has been equalled by the power of the people to express their basic humanity in a truly inspiring way. Millions of people across the globe, people who live thousands of miles away, people whose identities we do not know, have demonstrated the power of human solidarity. This solidarity has resulted in an outflow of private assistance and help that I believe is unprecedented.
That the most vulnerable in society have again been struck by a natural disaster is a great tragedy and once again highlights the real impact which global inequality has on the lives of already desperately poor people.
We have all also been deeply saddened and moved by the impact of what happened on those visiting the region, including those Irish people who lost their lives and their friends and families who endured the most desperate of searches. Our thoughts and prayers are with them as they are with those families who still await news of their loved ones (Lucy Coyle and Michael Murphy still missing). The remarkable kindness and assistance provided to foreign tourists by the people of the region in their own hour of need inspires us all.
The immediacy of the disaster’s impact and the shocking visual images conveyed through our TV screens moved many of you to act. You have received and continue to receive extraordinary support from the Irish public, people from all walks of life who wish to contribute to relieving the distress and suffering – a staggering €50 million collected so far.
In Ireland we have a strong perception of the role of Non-Governmental Development Organisations. We rely on you to swiftly assess the impact of disasters and conflicts worldwide and respond appropriately. And financial support for your efforts reflects the trust placed in you to do the right thing.
The response to the disaster must have made huge call on your resources as NGOs. Coming, as it did, over the normally quiet Christmas period made the speed and magnitude of your response all the more impressive. I know that your staff members flew out to the region as quickly as possible. Putting others first meant leaving loved ones behind at Christmas time and made the sacrifice all the more remarkable.
The region is now moving into a longer-term recovery phase and will take many years. Physical recovery is one thing but healing the psychological wounds of the many millions directly touched by this disaster will take a long time. We must turn our attention to how we can best assist these longer term needs. The UN’s chief coordinator said recently that the recovery phase provided perhaps the best opportunity for a model transition to longer term development ever seen.
This may well be the case. An extraordinary amount of financial support has been promised. The entire international community is engaged. Donors are, I hope, there for the long haul. It will be of great importance that the commitment to assist is sustained. We have now an opportunity as a global community to harness the energy and goodwill which this tragedy has released and to use it in a renewal of efforts to address global poverty and inequality whether in Africa, Asia or South America.
You do what you do without thought for recognition or praise but you richly deserve both. Be proud of what you have achieved in the face of such an appalling tragedy. You brought hope and help.
Relax and enjoy each other’s company this afternoon. For your entertainment we have three wonderfully talented musicians representing the National Youth Symphony Orchestra with us, Jane Murphy, Aoife Dennedy and Heather Cassidy and I would like to thank them. I would also like to thank the team here at the Áras who put a lot of effort into making days like this a success and also our friends from Civil Defence for their expert assistance.
Is iontach an obair atá ar siúl agaibh. Go raibh míle, míle maith agaibh.