April 9th: A Day of Remembrance and Progress in Asia, SARS Outbreak, Hukbalahap Rebellion
SARS Outbreak (2002-2003)
The first past event is the outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) that spread worldwide between 2002 and 2003. The virus was first reported in Guangdong Province, China, and then spread across the globe. The cause was a coronavirus, with over 8,000 people infected and more than 800 deaths.
Countries responded to the SARS outbreak by implementing strict quarantine measures and strengthening infectious disease control measures through international cooperation. Technological advancements allowed for rapid diagnosis and epidemiological investigations, improving response capabilities to new infectious diseases. The outbreak was contained in July 2003, thanks to the close cooperation of the World Health Organization (WHO) and various governments.
Hukbalahap Rebellion (1942-1954)
The second past event is the Hukbalahap Rebellion that lasted from 1942 to 1954 in the Philippines. The rebellion began as a communist-led peasant liberation movement, aiming to abolish the landlord system and inequality. However, it later turned to violent means against the government, which attempted to suppress the rebellion.
After the rebellion subsided, the Philippine government initiated efforts to promote peace and development in the country. Specifically, they promoted land reform, education, and infrastructure development to address the root causes of the rebellion and to improve the quality of life for its citizens.
References:
1. WHO | Summary of probable SARS cases with onset of illness from 1 November 2002 to 31 July 2003. (n.d.). Retrieved from: https://www.who.int/csr/sars/country/table2004_04_21
2. SARS | WHO | Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome. (n.d.). Retrieved from: https://www.who.int/health-topics/severe-acute-respiratory-syndrome
3. Syuwa, M. (2021). Hukbalahap Rebellion. Retrieved from: https://www.britannica.com/event/Hukbalahap-Rebellion
4. Lava, R. (2016). Philippines: The Hukbalahap Rebellion. Retrieved from: https://www.britannica.com/place/Philippines/The-Hukbalahap-rebellion