U.N. should come to stricken nation’s aid

I am writing in regard to your recent article “ Papua New Guinea says Friday’s landslide buried more than 2,000 people and formally asks for help,” which discusses Papua New Guinea’s call for United Nations aid after a landslide and the varying accounts on the amount of individuals missing. The New Guinean government reported 2,000 buried, whereas the U.N. original estimated 670 killed. I do not think this disparity should decide whether the U.N. provides aid or not.

First, it is important to acknowledge that a difference in the numbers of individuals missing in any disaster should be expected. As mentioned, Papua New Guinea’s exact population is unknown due to no accurate census. Additionally, any reports taken soon after a crisis are likely to vary due to a lack of concrete knowledge. The U.N. should not fixate on a possible inaccuracy.

Furthermore, Papua New Guinea is asking for help. As said in the Humanitarian Aid section of the United Nations’ website, “One of the purposes of the United Nations, as stated in its Charter, is ‘to achieve international cooperation in solving international problems of an economic, social, cultural, or humanitarian character’.” If so, the United Nations’ concern should be finding an effective solution to aid Papua New Guinea.

If the United Nations is concerned with cost issues, they should hold donations and spread awareness. I am grateful for this article as it educated people on the crisis;, however, I wish it focused on urging the reader to help during this time. It is one of the United Nations’ goals to provide humanitarian aid, and this is a time in which that is needed.

Jillia Aralis

Glenview