State of global and local emergency

How long or how the present Middle East  crisis will proceed remains uncertain.

Meanwhile, the clear repercussions of this ME crisis locally and globally are evident, adversely affecting even more seriously those who have already been in poverty and need even before the present ME crisis erupted.

To the millions of the hungry, the homeless, the unemployed, the sick, the marginalized, those described as the lost, the least and the last all throughout the world, more are being added to their ranks each day because of the ongoing conflict.

What originally started as a battle for power and oil among a few nations, or more correctly, among some greedy, power-hungry leaders, has now fast-tracked into a precariously critical stage where more countries appear ready to be or already drawn militarily or into other forms of alliances.

Will the present crisis proceed to world war or peace this year?

No one holds the answer to this crucial/tormenting question.

Prayers for peace and immediate resolution of the present ME crisis are urgently needed from all.

Globally, locally, all should be prepared for any possible scenario and outcome of this present/ongoing crisis and emergency.

Last Tuesday, BBM declared a state of national energy emergency for the Philippines and created UPLIFT (Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food, and Transport) “as a coordinated, whole-of-government response framework aimed at ensuring stable domestic energy supply, uninterrupted essential services, continued economic activity and protecting the welfare of the citizens, especially in vulnerable sectors.”

All local governments should also declare a state of emergency, assessing possible scenarios, taking stock and inventories of crucial/critical resources, mobilizing response teams needed to protect people, communities, our nation at short notice included.

Sooner, not later, national and local governments should be publicly informing and engaging all constituents about present and possible scenarios, challenges, and what preparation, networks, and responses are needed in the event of an escalating, prolonged global crisis.

For sure, all are interested to know about the present local/national situationer and possible crisis-related outcomes affecting the following: “1) movement, supply, distribution, and availability of fuel, food, medicines, agricultural products, and other essential goods; 2) the operation of public transportation, public services, public utilities, healthcare facilities, and other critical establishments and infrastructure; and 3) economic stability.”

Purok-sitio-town-city-national-level groups should be convened to be informed about the state of the local and national government regarding the following - 1) available resources and stocks, especially of oil, food, medicines, other essential goods, 2) contingency plans to augment or assure the supply of these essential needs during the crisis period, 3) emergency plans to stabilize wages, employment, health and other social/welfare services, 4) alternative energy plans, 5) how all can contribute to the protection of our people and our country, and more.

The ME crisis is affecting people, groups, communities and nations differently with those already disadvantaged and disenfranchised before the ME crisis experiencing broader, deeper daily challenges to life and survival.

While not all are caught in the actual crossfire of war and conflict, millions in countries far from the ME are still hit by simultaneous attacks of daily deprivation and poverty, absence of food, health, welfare services, more.

These “bombs” hitting these deprived and marginalized are just as potent as those that have killed, injured, displaced thousands among the innocent in the ME.

Global and local inequality, caused by a few greedy for power and wealth, continues to widen and deepen among millions all throughout the world.

Wars, conflicts, including the present crisis, are hastening the deeper entrenchment and broadening of poverty and deprivation within nations and throughout the world.

However, the local and global state of emergency has long started even before the ME crisis, and sadly, is continuing/worsening till now among millions of people throughout the world.