Tropica

[Blake]

Sunrise Network: Prime Minister on Holiday while Tropican City Recovers from Massive Earthquake

by Kalā Kalili

Nikutabi - Earlier this week Tropican City was devastated with a massive 8.1 magnitude earthquake. So far two hundred and fifty-three have been declared dead with another fifty-seven still reported missing. Some families are still without shelter, and more are without power. City officials state that they have not been able to get the Tropican Government to approve full disaster relief funds. With the Ministry of Regional Development supposedly only approving a quarter of the funds requested. Leaving the city with little ability to help those in need, instead having to focus purely on limiting further damages. A spokesperson for the Minister of Regional Development stated that he is waiting for a chance to talk with the Prime Minister and the Minister of the Treasury to make sure that additional funds will be provided. He cites concerns over aftershocks, tsunamis, and other additional consequences that requires him to be frugal with the funds. He states that he is sympathetic and is working with private charities to get the people the help they need. When asked why he has not been able to speak with the Prime Minister, the minister stated that the Prime Minister was on his scheduled vacation and was unreachable. After a fierce negative media reaction, the government has since walked back the statement that he was unreachable. They stated that “The Prime Minister is aware and is closely monitoring the situation. He has had long discussions with all members of his government and has personally approved the full deployment of the emergency funds.

Reactions all across Tropican have been quite negative about the Government’s response. “They constantly talk about how we have to get our finances in order to make sure that we are ready when the rainy days come. Well, if this is not a rainy day, I don’t know what is.” Said one voter from Nikutabi. Another stated “To find out the Prime Minister is on vacation is just a huge slap in the face to the people who don’t know where they are going to sleep tonight and haven’t known all week.” Reactions in Tropican City have been much more extreme. “They don’t care about us. How do you look at these apartment complexes that have been destroyed, broken powerlines, people still being pulled from the rubble, and think this is the time to be penny pinching? It is beyond heartless; it is actively cruel.” Stated one resident. Another stating, “if this had happened in New Kosmos is there any question if the emergency funds would’ve been approved immediately? Of course they would have gotten the help they needed. It is a disgrace that we have a government so willing to play favorites.

The Mayor of Tropican City Mele Kealoha “we are a resilient people, and we are going to get through this crisis. I am glad that this government has finally given us the resources we need to be able to help all of our citizens. Our community has really come together in this time of crisis. We are going to make sure that every person who lost their home, has food and a warm bed. To those who are still trying to find their families we are going to find them soon, and we will have power and water restored to the entire city as soon as possible. We must look forward as well and when we rebuild the buildings that we destroyed we need to make sure that they are constructed to withstand future earthquakes. I will be fighting tooth and nail in the City Council and with Parliament to strengthen our building codes. We can save lives; we only have to be willing to do so.”

When the Prime Minister returns from his vacation he will find a country that has turned further against his government. Time will tell if his reputation is irreparably damaged.