Surviving Typhoons

By Herbert Vego

THIS has been a typhoon week. As we expect more unavoidable typhoons in the weeks to come, we need to cope with them bravely and to pray for survival.

We cannot undo the fact that the Philippines is an occupant of the Pacific Typhoon Belt, where nearly one-third of the world’s tropical storms form. An average of 19 typhoons enter the country each year.

We have lost so many lives and properties to typhoons, floods and earthquakes that we have learned to accept “survival” as a challenge, as a way of life.

Such is the fate of three families whose new concrete houses in Barangay Abiera, Sebaste, Antique literally sank under landslides.

Ironically, it’s during devastating typhoons like Crising that the rich stand to lose more than the poor who have nothing in the first place.

Any natural disaster is metaphorically called an “act of God.” While we are not privy to the etymology of the metaphor, it paints the picture of man struggling to survive God’s punishment which could be in such forms as typhoons, flood, earthquake and tsunami.

People who are supposed to rest on their laurels, having retired and are tired of any more work, may suddenly lose everything they have to natural disasters. Imagine a farmer who loses what could have been a bountiful rice harvest to “act of God.” He suddenly falls back to poverty.

To deal with natural disasters, let us be prepared both before and during the event, and  take necessary precautions afterwards. These include securing our home, having an emergency plan and kit, staying informed through news reports on radio and TV, and knowing when and how to evacuate if needed.

Much more than the young, we senior citizens hate to lose what we have worked hard to acquire. It means so much to sit on the same porch where as children we used to play.

Fear of death ranks as the number one reason why we dread natural disasters.

On the positive side, we come to terms with this “punishment” as a wake-up call. It alerts us into the realization that we are not owners but just temporary custodians of our lives, the earth and all material things thereat.

“For all the earth is mine,” God says in Exodus 19:5.

It is very important to learn ways of coping with natural disasters and their impact. They have a high potential to place us at risk for stress, anxiety, and anger.

Hereunder are some suggestions from the Philippine Red Cross on ways to reduce the effect of a natural disaster:

“Seek out and connect with social support. Over and over again, it has been found that finding support from others can be a major factor in helping people overcome the negative effects of a traumatic event.

“Identify local support groups or available crisis counselors to talk to. After a natural disaster, crisis counselors may be brought in to help you cope with the impact of a natural disaster. Take advantage of these opportunities.

“Talk about the effect of the natural disaster. Share your feelings with others. Emotions need to be expressed, not repressed..

“Focus on self-care. A natural disaster can deplete you physically. It is very important that you put aside time for caring for yourself. Make sure you eat well, get enough sleep, and exercise.

“Find ways to help others. Helping others can provide you with a sense of urgency, purpose, control, and empowerment.”