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EDITORIAL

September 3, 2005

Original Artical (Spanish)

After the passage of Hurricane Katrina, the city of New Orleans experienced almost complete devastation: 80 percent of that large city is under water, and the victims count themselves in the tens of thousands, among them about 140,000 Mexicans. The government of President George W. Bush has been harshly criticized for its failure to predict or prepare for the catastrophe, and for its slow-motion response in delivering aid to the people affected. The magnitude of the disaster and the deficiency of the rescue efforts recall the situation in Mexico City after the earthquakes of September 19 and 20, 1985.

The Mexico City Quake of 1985, About 10,000 Were Killed, the Same Number as are Thought to Have Died After Katrina

The images of people who had lost everything, including their loved ones, remind us of what we saw in several areas of the Mexican capital after those quakes. The government of then President De la Madrid was paralyzed, and faced with the enormity of the tragedy, it performed with grave negligence: whole blocks were destroyed. It was left to civil society to go out and unearth the survivors buried beneath the debris, to transport them to hospitals and bring food and medicine to the victims. Now the government of President Fox has challenged us to rapidly and effectively assist our compatriots harmed by the disaster. This time,  the Mexican Chief Executive promised that his response would be "forceful.”

Such forcefulness is urgent in the face of the devastation in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida, where 5.7 million people remain without electricity. Waves of over 24 feet high [8m], winds up to 175 mph [280 kph] and numerous floods, among other factors, caused damage of about $30 billion to homes, buildings and infrastructure of all kinds. For example, damages to Florida agriculture is thought to be about $427 million, 711 oil wells have been evacuated and gas and crude oil production in the Gulf of Mexico has been interrupted. In addition, as usually occurs during such a calamity, the plunderers have made their appearance, many of them armed, because of the absence of local authorities.

This catastrophe is even graver for minorities, especially for our undocumented compatriots, who in addition to their condition as victims carry the added stigma of persecution because of their migratory status, which forces them to hide rather than seek aid.

Luis Ernesto Derbez

In that context, the measures announced by the Minister of Foreign Affairs Luis Ernesto Derbez are commendable. Friday, the Derbez reported that the government of Fox reached an agreement with his U.S. counterpart that such people not be persecuted over their immigration status, so that they can go to aid centers without fear of being deported. In addition, the Houston and Atlanta consulates are working together to render assistance to Mexican nationals. In addition, two temporary consular offices will be opened in the affected zones, along with two mobile consulates, among other actions.

Absurdly, the Mexican Consulate General’s Office in New Orleans, an important gateway for national exports, was closed by order of former Foreign Minister Jorge G. Castaneda.

In addition, two bank accounts have been opened for handling voluntary contributions, and trucks with food and medicine have been sent. They are expected to cross the border on Monday.

Now it is incumbent on President Fox to be attentive to guaranteeing respect for the rights of those without identity papers. Though the steps that have been taken are positive, a sustained effort is required to ensure that aid for the Mexican victims is effective, and Fox’s statements amount to more than a demonstration of good intentions.