Newsletter No. 420

12 No. 420, 19.6.2013 Photos of Prof. Emily Chan by Cheung Chi-wai 請掃描QR碼 閱讀全文版 Scan the QR code for the full version 你剛去了雅安評估地震災情，那邊的情況怎樣？ 經過汶川地震之後，現在內地的救援反應很快，救援物資都已運進去。但臨 時房屋還沒建好，災民都住在帳篷裏，衞生條件很差，十分潮濕，不少災民患 了皮膚疹，還有垃圾、蒼蠅、野狗等問題。這些衞生問題雖不至於影響生存， 但要這樣住上好幾個月就很慘。 CCOUC這種設立在大學之下的學術兼救援機構，其角色與一般人道 救援組織有何區別？ 我們不可能像前線救援組織那樣，一下子找來四輛卡車運兩噸物資去救災， 但我們有自己獨特的定位。前線組織未必有時間去考慮他們所用的工作方式 是否最有效，是不是有科學根據，也不會把知識傳授給其他機構。我們這種 大學機構要做研究，所以能推進這門學科的發展，並且可以做很多教育工作 培養人才。 人道救援應交由甚麼樣的機構執行最佳：學術機構、NGO、政府、聯 合國？ 如果你早十年前問我這個問題，那時血氣方剛的我會說：當然是在前線幹實 事的NGO最好。但現在我覺得每種組織都有不同長處。在前線可以做一個或 者幾個項目，但如果真的想推動這個社會大環境的改變和進步，就需要政府 或者聯合國那種高層次的組織，他們頒布的政策或指引，大家都會跟從。但 他們不會做實證研究，這空檔就需要我們這種學術機構來填補。 理想的救援人員應具備哪些質素？ 首先是能勝任的專業技能。從事醫學、公共衞生，做錯決定是攸關生死的。試 想一個如香港那麼大的地方受災，由你決定物資運到哪裏，你的決定意味着 有些地方會拿到資源，有些拿不到，責任很大，所以有充分的知識和能力很重 要。第二是有解決問題的決心。無論遇到甚麼困難都要想辦法解決。 對想入這行的年輕人你有甚麼忠告？ 一定要清楚自己為甚麼願意做這行。如果是追求一時的英雄感，根本不值得。 我們這次坐車去雅安時，車子突然被解放軍截停，塞了三個小時，原來前面三 輛車左右的地方山坡塌下來，死了六個人。想追求英雄感不值得冒這種風險。 組建CCOUC的救援團隊面對甚麼困難？ 現在這個領域還有待成熟，不是說有錢就可以請到合適的人才，因為就算是 出色的NGO員工，也未必適應學術機構的環境。這始終是新發展的領域，人 才要靠自己培訓。 CCOUC未來有何新發展？ 希望往後五年能把這個研究所發展成世界衞生組織在亞太區的一個中心。 多年的人道救援經歷，對你的人生觀有何影響？ 我的看法是人性是美好的。以前我常去戰亂的地方，在最艱困的地方你會找 到最多的好人。人很奇怪，在比較安穩的地方，人就關起門來各自做自己的事 情。但在艱困的境地，反而見到好多人願意獻出生命，我見過很多。 You’ve just been to Ya’an to evaluate the earthquake relief effort. What is the situation there now? After Wenchuan, the mainland authorities respond very quickly to earthquake disasters. In Ya’an, resources for disaster relief have been brought in. But the victims still live in tents because temporary accommodations are not ready. Many victims suffer from skin infections due to poor hygiene and high humidity. There are also other nuisances like garbage, flies, and stray dogs. Although they don’t threaten the victims’ survival, it is miserable to stay for months in such circumstances. How does a university-based, research-oriented relief unit like CCOUC differ from other humanitarian aid organizations in terms of their functions? Unlike disaster relief organizations in the frontline, we can’t easily find four trucks to move two tons of relief resources to disaster zones. But we have our unique position. Ordinary NGOs may not have the time to reflect on the effectiveness or scientific basis of their modi operandi. They won’t pass on their knowledge to other organizations. A university-based unit like us conducts research. So we’re able to push back the frontiers of this field. We also teach and groom talent. Academic organizations, NGOs, governments, United Nations agencies—which are most effective and reliable in providing humanitarian relief? If you asked me this question 10 years ago, the young and impetuous me would have said: ‘It’s the NGOs in the frontline for sure.’ But now I see it differently. Organizations at different levels have their own strengths and missions. NGOs in the frontline are effective in launching a few projects. But if you want to bring about change and development to society, it requires the efforts of higher-level authorities like governments or the United Nations. It’s because when they make policies or issue guidelines, everyone will follow. But they don’t do evidence-based research. We fill this gap. What qualities should a humanitarian relief worker possess? First of all, technical competence. Medical and public health decisions are matters of life and death. Try to imagine a place the size of Hong Kong is hit by natural disaster. You are the one who decides where relief resources should go. That means you determine who gets them and who doesn’t. It’s a huge responsibility. That’s why technical competence is important. Secondly, the determination to solve problems. Your mind must be made up to solve whatever problems that may arise. What’s your advice for those interested in this line of work? You have to be clear about why you want to do this. It’s not worthwhile if you’re just after a sense of heroism. On our way to Ya’an, our car was stopped by the army. We were delayed for three hours. Later we learned that there was a landslide about three cars away from our position. Six people died. It’s just not worth the risk if you simply want to be a hero. What difficulties did you encounter when putting together the CCOUC team? This field is still under-developed. You can’t get the right people just by spending more money. It’s because a competent NGO worker may not survive in an academic setting. We have to groom our talent for this fledgling sector. How do you foresee CCOUC’s development? We strive to build CCOUC into a centre of the World Health Organization in the Asian Pacific Region. How do your years of experience in the humanitarian sector affect your view of life? I believe that human nature is good. I used to go to war zones frequently. You can find the best people in the most perilous places. Human beings are strange creatures. They lock themselves in and mind their own business when life is safe and stable. But in desperate situations, many people would sacrifice themselves for others. I’ve seen this a lot. 陳英凝教授 Prof. Emily Chan CCOUC災害與人道救援研究所所長 Director, Collaborating Centre for Oxford University and CUHK for Disaster and Medical Humanitarian Response (CCOUC)