Editorial: Finding Perspective From Tragedy

There’s nothing like a monumental natural disaster to put our concerns and worries into perspective, and to remind us how good our own lives are.

The shocking pictures and stories that have come to us from the devastated nations of the Indian Ocean, from Sri Lanka to Thailand to Indonesia and India, are almost beyond comprehension.

Scenes of coastlines stripped of houses, roads and vegetation, alternating with mass jumbles of bodies and wreckage, are testament to the natural forces unleashed by the underwater earthquake, which led to the massive tidal waves and at least 150,000 deaths.

The tragic events resulting from the Dec. 26 earthquake, the day after Christmas and as the world was preparing to usher in the new year, have obviously touched many of us.

A host of companies in our industry have stepped forward to help. And many of them are offering what may turn to out to be even more valuable than cash or goods: namely, transport services to move desperately needed supplies to the region or within the region.

Indeed, more than one government official from the region has said they had already received enough material; what they needed now was a way to get it to the hundreds of thousands of people who needed the aid.

Among the many trucking-related companies, UPS, FedEx and DHL have all stepped forward with substantial donations of cash and transportation services.

UPS said it would provide $2.5 million in transport services, $400,000 in cash and would match employee donations up to $100,000. FedEx Express said it has already moved 200 tons of medical supplies for six charities to Sri Lanka and Indonesia. And DHL Americas said it has arranged seven charter flights of relief supplies and has offered the use of storage facilities in the affected region.

Cash donations have run the gamut from Paccar Inc.’s $1 million to $1,000 from the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association.

And an organization established by the founder of the Fritz Cos., Lynn Fritz, has provided copies of an automated logistics program to 10 organizations that have asked for it in order to improve their delivery of relief supplies.

There will be natural disasters as long as our civilization continues. It’s heartening to see our industry respond so wholeheartedly to ease the suffering of others.

This story appeared in the print edition of Transport Topics. Subscribe today.