Yeah, it's a solution of type "pick a few people who are easiest to save, and save them, ignoring the rest".

It's worse than solving the problem globally; and it's better than doing nothing -- which is what most people will do; including most of those who like to think about global solutions. It's far from optimal. It's also something that one can do as an individual -- so it can be used as a backup plan is case no better idea comes around.