The local authorities could not be more overwhelmed with major issues from the high seas. With the four boats still here that were poaching from VietNam to the human trafficking boat from Indonesia, it has been exciting. Went back today for a followup health exam of the one of most concern and he has improved with antibiotics. Apparently, and I write this with no authority, VietNam is not going to claim their men or boats. Soon Yap may have four relatively decent fishing boats as it will soon become state property. In addition, the UN and other agencies have been contacted for advice on how to mange refugees. Tomorrow night state officials will arrive for discussions about their fate. The men have no passports or other id and no money. Again, Public Health and the Yap Hospital doctors collected monies and local foods and I bought food and basic essentials, and laundry detergent. I also asked one grocery store to donate and they (finally) gave us a 40 lb bag of rice, cartons of canned foods, and a discount on the many items I purchased. I love a good bargain. I have many years of bargaining under my belt, so I am a bit tough on the merchants.
The Red Cross is supposed to organize things, but they are still waiting for money from the capital. However, they way we are providing for them is not sustainable, and the Red Cross and government will need to decide how to feed them and their fate soon. The government had spent its budget on the poachers, so there is nothing left for the refugees. I hope to attend the meeting Sunday as the physician/public health person. It is not scheduled and no one knows any details, so it may be hit or miss. As a woman, it may be a miss. O yes, it is like that here. It is like starting all over again in my career. While a different topic, I work hard to encourage the young women to be more assertive and confident at work. The culture here against women is very strong and there are many conflicts in the workplace. There is a well known caste system and I have seen senior women bow so low to almost crawl when a "chief" of a village is in Public Health. Any chief worth his salt will stand so the woman does not have to crawl. I have witnessed this.
Here are pictures from today, including a lights of a beautiful sunset.
These are the boats from Vietnam, the fishermen poaching sea cucmber from within Micronesian waters of Ngulu.
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The refugee boat from Indonesia, with 34 men from Nepal and India, one captain and one crew member. In the background you can see the fishing boats from VietNam.
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Nepalese men.
It is amazing they made it here 800 miles from Indonesia. They are now interested in going to Guam, then Hawaii.
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A lovely walk about the lagoon tonight with a beautiful sunset.
The Red Cross is supposed to organize things, but they are still waiting for money from the capital. However, they way we are providing for them is not sustainable, and the Red Cross and government will need to decide how to feed them and their fate soon. The government had spent its budget on the poachers, so there is nothing left for the refugees. I hope to attend the meeting Sunday as the physician/public health person. It is not scheduled and no one knows any details, so it may be hit or miss. As a woman, it may be a miss. O yes, it is like that here. It is like starting all over again in my career. While a different topic, I work hard to encourage the young women to be more assertive and confident at work. The culture here against women is very strong and there are many conflicts in the workplace. There is a well known caste system and I have seen senior women bow so low to almost crawl when a "chief" of a village is in Public Health. Any chief worth his salt will stand so the woman does not have to crawl. I have witnessed this.
Here are pictures from today, including a lights of a beautiful sunset.
These are the boats from Vietnam, the fishermen poaching sea cucmber from within Micronesian waters of Ngulu.
The refugee boat from Indonesia, with 34 men from Nepal and India, one captain and one crew member. In the background you can see the fishing boats from VietNam.
Nepalese men.
It is amazing they made it here 800 miles from Indonesia. They are now interested in going to Guam, then Hawaii.
A lovely walk about the lagoon tonight with a beautiful sunset.
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