Why do some wars affect us more than others? † She says

The woman in a peasant smock looked glassy into the reporter’s camera. Whether she thought it was inappropriate to celebrate Carnival now that Putin’s army is invading Ukraine. It’s war, but here in Oeteldonk they celebrate, so get rid of the malaise – because it’s time for the po-lo-naise again! Did she feel burdened? Her cheerfully painted face stared at the now beaten glass of lager in her hand† In her mind she wandered from the polonaise in her favorite bar to the long line of cars with fleeing Ukrainians outside the border of Poland.

It has not escaped anyone’s attention that Russia has brutally invaded Ukraine. Not because the population asked for it, but because Russian President Vladimir Putin, a man with a monstrous ego and character, felt like land grab. He thereby violates all international rules and agreements, and causes indescribable suffering. Unfortunately, that doesn’t interest him. Fortunately, the rest of the world does. And the rest is of one accord, thank goodness. This war is unnecessary, disgusting and must stop as soon as possible. We stand together with the Ukrainian people and against Putin. And they will know that too. Through sanctions. Military support. Worldwide demonstrations. And an avalanche of #StandForUkriane statements of support on social media.

And more is being done than handing out hearts online. The collective need to help the Ukrainian people is striking. Fundraising campaigns are underway, men spontaneously report to fight at the front and the willingness to receive refugees is enormous. In one of the many TV reports I watched over the past few days, I saw hanging a Dutch woman exhausted in her walker after dropping off a heavy bag of clothes at a collection point for the refugees† She had watched the television every minute since the invasion began and was devastated. She was very eager to help, ‘We must do everything we can!’ I also hear that sound in my own environment. My colleague said that she had a meeting at home this weekend about possible reception. They could easily free up a room in the house and were willing to give it to a refugee in need. I asked her if they had considered something like this before, for example for a refugee from Afghanistan, but that turned out not to be the case.

I also toyed with that thought for the first time. And although my urge to help comes from a good heart, and is also much needed, that also chafed a bit. Why does this war mobilize so many helpful people, while fighting has been going on in Yemen, Congo, Afghanistan and Syria for years? How is it possible that we go on holiday en masse to countries such as Greece and Italy, while we know that war refugees there try to survive in degrading conditions in camps. How is it possible that last summer I was baking with a cocktail in hand by the Mediterranean Sea without any pangs of conscience, while the bodies of boat refugees are floating in that same sea? In short, why do some disasters affect us more than others?

Of course, this war is close to home. And that – wryly – Ukrainians resemble us in culture and appearance. It will also play a role that the sanctions imposed will affect us personally† Enough reason to make you angry. But are you not allowed to celebrate at all anymore? Yes, of course. Let’s not judge each other by asking carnival celebrants difficult questions of conscience – we didn’t do that during the war in Iraq. One can coexist with the other just fine. As long as you don’t look away from the suffering of others, a party seems very healthy to me.

Subscribe to the podcast She Says:

Every week also via Spotify and iTunes to listen.

Statement: Why do some disasters affect us more than others?

Agree Disagree? You can respond at the bottom of this article. Only comments with a full name will be posted. We do this because we want a debate with people who stand for what they say, and who put their name on it. If you still need to enter your name, you can do so by clicking ‘Login’ at the top right of our site.