I don't know how I missed this.
The b/w is terrific - kiki and Rod both said it, but this is a really commendable (that's not the right word but it'll have to do) shot - it doesn't interfere but still presents the issues.
Having been in New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina was the only situation that I can relate to this - where the visions of the hurt, misplaced people around me stirred me almost out of control. It's gut wrenching to realize that you can't do much to help their situation and I agree with you about the pictures - we have none of the people.
It just wouldn't be fair.
Going back there a few weeks ago was only a little bit better - things have improved somewhat but it's still a pretty sad place. I felt like I helped by just being a tourist but....
Tom brought along a few of the devastation pictures and we revisited the places. He now has the comparison shots, which we were able to share with some of the locals.

Hi Ron. Thank you. We will convert you yet :-)

Awsome shot Ernest. I am not a b/w fan but this is just right.

Hard hitting and rough are strong words and accurate for the picture. You have displayed an emotional tragedy and did it well. Razor sharp and perfect b/w conversion too. Pat yourself on the back. -Doug

That's really a dilemma Ernest which doesn't have a clear cut answer. In one way taking picys of the misery in Thailand can do wonders when shown to people back home who have become numb to the disasters shown every night on the news. The shot's would shake people out of their complacency & hopefully make them relate more to the suffering happening all around us. Taking shots just after a disaster would have to be very discrete & how do you reconcile with yourself taking these type of shots in the peoples hour of need.
Shot as well done as this with no sense of exploitation are the life blood of photography & will keep photography relevant in the future as we are bombarded with the lowest common denominator wow picys we sometimes post just to get superficial praise. Even if this doesn't do well here you know this is a great shot as does Kiki & me & it needs to be here even if it only makes one other person think.

Hi Kiki. Thank you. You saved the shot from being removed. I have tried to get the mood & message without there being to much sad details. In the last Tsunami in Thailand, Jill & I were in the thick of it. We stayed on to complete our vacation & were exposed to many sad & horrific scenes. I could not get myself to point my camera at the misery burned into peoples faces. I often think I failed at recording the Horror. Still I do have many shots of the devastation, none of people.

Beautiful B&W, nicely composed, good details. A classic social documentary picture and as an overview pic there's distance enough to avoid becoming a "misery glutton". A "what's inside" pic in more ways than one, even if the inside is halfway outside: It's also a of statement about outsiders vs. insiders. Great take on the topic.

Hi Rod, thanks for the thumbs up. I think this shot is to hard hitting & rough for this challenge though.

Lovely B&W of a world totally apart from ours. Great shot Ernest.

Thanks Rod & Doug. It your comment as well as Kiki's that make it worth while, as tough as it is.