'War is an illwind which blows no one any good.' We have often heard this saying times without number but only those who have been involved in wars will realize the full import of the saying. Those who have been involved in wars , those who have experienced war will never pray to be near any theatre of war let alone experience it again in their lifetime. The horrors of war, the miseries of war, the agonies of war, the harrowing experience of war are better imagined than experienced.
Nature itself suffers incalculable damage as a result of war. Large expanses of fertile arable land are destroyed. Fields are left barren and waste. The vegetation which constitutes a beautiful scenery in a place is completely destroyed. What one discovers in a war-ravaged area are waste and ruins with regard to the vegetation.
As a result of the land that as been rendered infertile, no meaningful activity can be carried out. As opposed to my stand here, Agriculture cannot be practiced. Food which is necessary for life, can therefore not be produced. The consequences of this is that there will be hunger and starvation. Hunger then becomes so acute that people eat whatever then comes their way. The go to the extent of eating lizards, insects, weeds, leaves, etc, which are injurious and even deadly. No wonder food aid is usually rushed to places where there are wars so that the people will not die of hunger.
What about the destabilization and disintegration of the family? During ways, the families of the soldiers, who have no choice but to take part, suffer the loss of their breadwinners. So children become orphans suddenly and wives become widows. In an effort to run for safety in the confusion that ensues during wars, children are separated from their parents, siblings are separated from one another. The mental torture and physical agony suffered by members of the family cannot be imagined.
During wars, cities, towns, and villages are deserted. This is to avoid the constant raids and bombings carried out by opposing forces. These cities, towns and villages become desolate. They become ghosts of themselves.
What about the economy of the country? It goes without saying that the economy of the country becomes battered, shattered and destabilized. As no meaningful activity can be carried out in an atmosphere of war, many people are therefore thrown out of jobs. Those who remain in their jobs are in a constant state of fear and fright as they are not sure of what will happen next. Of course, no foreign investor will come to invest in a country engaged in a war. This adversely affects and economy and people suffer untold hardship.
The destruction of the individual personally is another devastating evils brought by war. The individual constantly walks in a state of fear and anxiety. Innocent people are mortally wounded or the suffer permanent disability as a result of bombings and raids carried out by opposing forces - grenades and other deadly weapons of war planted in towns, cities and villages destroy not only valuable properties but also precious irreplaceable lives.
Some people become deaf as a result of the shattering noise of bombs, grenades and other weapons of destruction that are used during wars. The individual is therefore affected psychologically, emotionally, and physically.
This is precisely why a situation of war should be avoided at all cost. There is no price, however colossal, that is paid for peace that can be too much.
Let us all learn to live together, it keeps us stronger
