DEAR EDITOR – Our political leaders boast about our Solomon Islands as a Christian country with strong Christian values and beliefs.
The April flood and the consequential displacement of thousands of women, children and men resulting in their being accommodated at schools, police clubs, FOPA village and SINU campus has really tested our commitment to our faith.
As a Christian, what saddens me most was how government, government agency and community in general treated the most vulnerable members of our community at the time of need.
Last week, the media carried reports by some evacuees asking for justice and fair play in the way they were treated, when told to leave the evacuation centres by Friday.
Whilst some may have abused the ‘hospitality’ shown to the thousands in evacuation centres, there is no doubt in my mind that there are genuine families with no where to go, no source of income to live on, no roof over their heads etc.
It is these categories of victims who deserve to be given a second chance. It is most unfortunate that government through the NMDO has told them that it does not have more money to feed them.
The government response brings to mind how a so the called Christian state and members of the many faiths like Catholics, Anglicans, SDA etc can be so cold, unfriendly, indifferent and unmoved by the plight of our ‘neighbours’ needing urgent help/assistance.
Have we forgotten our biblical obligations to our neighbours in need?
Gandhi was right in my view when he observed that that the only true Christians are those who imitate and follow Jesus love for poor, hungry and sickly.
Come on my wantoks, where is you Christian love for the needy?
Eddie Marahare
Lungga
East Honiara
