Gracie Bon insists that she was ‘not posing’ after being accused of doing so in the midst of the Panama earthquake rubble.
UNICEF estimates that 38,000 people, including 8,300 children, are in need of humanitarian assistance following the 7.7 and 6.6 magnitude earthquakes that struck Panama on Friday (9 October).
On Sunday, the content creator, who has 12 million followers on Instagram, posted pictures of her standing in the rubble to showcase the ‘reality of my country’.
“After the earthquake, we’re reminded that material things can be replaced, but life is priceless,” she penned in the caption.
“Hug your loved ones a little tighter, be grateful for what you have, live in the moment, and show up for those who need it most.”
Her photos, however, were hit with a wave of criticism in the comments, such as ‘Help? No. Have a photo shoot? Yes’, as another said, ‘Unbelievable.. Just for looking for likes’.
Bon’s photoshoot got 203k likes on Instagram (Instagram/@graciebon)
Responding to the backlash, Bon said: “There are people who get more outraged by a photo than by seeing families lose everything.
“Sometimes the problem is not what we do, but the eyes with which you decide to see it.”
She continued: “My intention was to help with resources and find two families that I could help rebuild their homes.
“I asked my team to document everything. I do appear in the photo, I am not posing. I simply decided to post a photo of myself in it because I know it will give my followers a better reach and attention.
“Panama needs us united; it’s not time for division or criticizing each other. The affected areas need our help.”
Bon has responded to the backlash (Instagram/@graciebon)
It comes after Olga Isaza, a UNICEF Representative in Panama, said that the thousands affected are in need of humanitarian assistance.
“Three days after the earthquake, children and families continue to experience fear and distress as aftershocks persist, with thousands of children in the hardest-hit communities facing disruptions to essential services, including safe water and education,” said Isaza, as nearly 900 homes have been damaged.
“UNICEF is working closely with the Government of Panama and partners to support affected children and families in the weeks ahead.”
The agency added that ‘according to preliminary government reports, 656 educational facilities have sustained damage nationwide, and classes were suspended on 12 October while structural safety inspections continue. Authorities have also reported damage to at least 25 health facilities’.
“Along with the Ministry of Health, UNICEF has deployed 72 m² tents to support the continuity of health services at facilities affected by the earthquake,” UNICEF said.
“UNICEF has made 16 tents available to health authorities and continues to assess additional needs to help maintain essential services for children and adolescents.”
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