Does the giant sinkhole in Guatemala impact the country’s plans for development?

On May 31st 2010, the unthinkable occurred in a country between Belize, El Salvador, Honduras, and Mexico. The weekend a giant sinkhole appeared in the ground was, busy to say the least. According to NG Daily News, tropical storm “Agatha” struck Central America, saturating the soil in Guatemala City. The high saturation of water increased the force of pressure pulling downwards, largely thanks to gravity, towards the center of the Earth. The result – a three-story building was completely swallowed as it sank with the heavy dirt. This event would in all likelihood never have caused the damage it did, if Guatemala was not “the most populous of the Central American countries,” according to the CIA World Factbook. In a heavily populated country where tourism is regarded as one of the main industries alongside goods like sugar and petroleum, this recent natural disaster has provided both positive and negative publicity. On the positive side the massive sinkhole, depicted above, created more buzz channelled towards the country, but on the opposite spectrum it has opened questions regarding how Guatemala plans to rebuild, and if they can do so. New York Times Blake Schmidt reported yesterday that bodies were stilling being recovered from “the rubble of landslides and floods that left at least 179 dead”. Schmidt also reports that the President of Guatemala, President Álvaro Colom, has estimated the loan amounts to be around 400 million dollars where “he would initially spend $63 million to rebuild housing for 42,000 left homeless.”

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, has established three communal centres in Guatemala to help serve as shelters so far as found in this update released on the 31st of May. Donations are as always, encouraged. Always remember to verify the authenticity of the organization or charity you are donating to, as to ensure the proper expenditure of your funds.

The Importance of Spiritual Guidance During a Natural Disaster

Image via Wikipedia

1. Immediate feelings of disorientation. If someone has just lost their home, their shelter, a direction is often the most important thing you can offer. Understanding their circumstances and linking them to a community enables that person to find their own strength and rise above the immediate disaster.
2. Feelings of blame and revenge can be common during a disaster. But in a natural disaster, it is often Nature that comes out on top. The lack of applying our law over Nature itself, can often result in feelings relating to a loss of control. Nature can give the appearance of an enemy, especially in a disaster, but if you know the land and have a web of support throughout the entire event of rebuilding your life after a natural disaster, anything is possible. It is often best not to get bogged down with feelings of wanting to associate blame on something or someone without supportive evidence, and in a natural disaster tolerance is key, which is why spiritual guidance can often fulfil a role of guidance and keep your emotions at check.
3. Lastly spiritual guidance is essential for those seeking inspiration and motivation. Important figures from various religions from the Dalai Lama to The Pope, all have in common, the ability to motivate and inspire. Their words can be filled with hidden jewels of knowledge as well as useful things to keep in mind when faced with a tragedy, but ultimately they set an example for you to follow and it is that example that perhaps leaves the greatest impact if you are fortunate enough to listen.

*Note: Despite having three distinct reasons on the importance of spiritual guidance they are by no means the only importance of spiritual guidance during a natural disaster. Communities can play a vital role in helping those recover from a natural disaster you so if you are faced with this situation, play an active role in reaching out to your community as well as other members to maximize the recovery process. Cooperation is key, and according to a motto used by the Industrial Workers of the World, “an injury to one is an injury to all”.