Heading out Monday

Hello Folks,

I will be flying out on Monday Jan 3rd to Somalia.

Due to needs in Asia, a lot of resources (human and other) have been sent there. As such, of the many other projects around the world, help is needed there too. I was suppose to go to Somalia at the end of January. Right now they are experiencing overwhelming conditions in the clinics they are running already. Also, of expat positions that are needed now, many people will not go to Somalia, when Asia is calling harder in the media. MSF is looking at where the needs are biggest, and are not being met by anyone else, when deciding where to send expats. (Note: Hundreds of expats will go to Asia over this year I imagine, but hundreds elsewhere too.) As such, I have been strongly asked to come early. So, I fly tomorrow.

The Asia crisis is bad, but to put it into perspective: roughly 2 Million people displaced right now in Asia due to the Tsunami. Between 30 and 40 million people displaced right now in the world in other conflicts and disasters. The events in Asia are bad, but there are needs elsewhere too. I'm going to Somalia more for the reason that the other needs are big too.

I'll write more when I arrive in Amsterdam or Nairobi. (The Somalia mission is accessed through Nairobi as well.)

Cheers, lots of love,

Steve

P.S. I wrote on the previous blog, "Also, I am sadly overcome by the abundant riches, yet the lack of happiness here." I over simplified and generalized too much on that one. I do still say that, "unhappiness in the presence of riches," exists in people in Canada, however as a generalization of life in Canada, I was wrong to write that. Thank you for those that brought it up to me that there is abundant happiness here, and prove it as well. I will endeavor to write more accurately and responsibly in the months to come.