Cautionary stories

Here are cautionary stories about disaster-preparedness —and what we can learn from them: An American teenager, who lived in the Philippines for five years before moving back to the States, learned to stock food and energy supplies during natural disasters. When a tsunami alert was issued in Hawaii during the tsunami crisis in Japan, he started packing emergency supplies in waterproof bags.

His wife looked at him strangely and asked, “What are you doing?” He told her, “This is what I learned in the Philippines.”

His former mentor, whose father was in the Air Force, grew up at Villamor Air Base. He knew how to pack relief goods that military planes would then take to disaster-prone areas. When a strong earthquake struck Baguio, he helped those affected by it.

In contrast, a friend of theirs lined up for rations at Burnham Park. She didn’t prepare for the disaster and was content taking advantage of the free goods. She didn’t offer to help others, either.

Disaster preparedness has become a necessity at this day and age. People should stock fuel, candles, matches, flashlights, batteries, water, waterproof bags, easy-to-prepare food and medicine. Gardens with root crops like taro or sweet potato are useful.

We have to be responsible for ourselves—because we can’t always rely on others to provide us for all our needs!

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