Foreign Aid (hurricane katrina)

[kobayashi]

This sentiment is often repeated during tragedies such as this.

Let me make some generalizations so as to facilitate a point.

The most catastrophic become international news and when they are external to the U.S., as the tsunami was for example, the international community and American citizens alike await the response of the American administration. It has vast resources and, without question, almost always dedicates these to whatever pressing matter weighs on the world. In most cases, I'd hazard a guess that the American contribution represents the single largest donation from amongst all nations. As such it gets reported everywhere. In fact, the American donation can become itself a storyline within the ongoing story of the natural disaster.

When a disaster occurs within the States, however, the relative minuteness of what other nations have to offer becomes apparent. As such, the donations of other nations to the U.S. are going to be comparatively small. Domestic media will report it (as is being done here in Canada), but it will not be splashed all over CNN. I don't mean to suggest that American's aren't grateful for what help they have been offered. It is simply that what the U.S. has been offered is dwarfed by what the U.S. already has.

As such, unless you go searching for it, don't expect to hear about it within the U.S.

i sure hope this makes sense outside of my head...

 

[ladywithspinninghead]

Great point Kobayashi

 

[Se7en]

no problem.

the analyst on the news was saying that it's rather unusual for the military to be readying a ship before a call for help has been issued, but i think it just shows canada's determination and willingness to contribute to relief efforts should the call come.

canada

 

[dazzledbylight]

i'm going to take issue with the last two statements... lack of preparations and bad management.

every person in every area effected by this storm was warned by the local and federal governments, through the media, that this storm had the potential to cause a disaster like we've never seen before. the majority of the people in the area heeded that warning and left town. what else would you have had them do besides put out warnings days in advance?

there are a whole lot of poor people in NOLA, HiaS. That means that many of them don't have cars to get out with!

Not only that but Amtrak and Bus travel was stopped on SAT, not Sun.

Finally as it was pointed out {i hadn't thought of it}-- many poor people are paid Monthly, whether on Disabilty {soc Sec} or retired Soc Sec, Soc Sec & SSI {when SSD is below the poverty line} or state welfare.

Hrc Katarina arrived before their next monthly check arrived, where then {if it had arrived this weekend} maybe they would of thought...I'm going to sacraifice half my monthly check to get mydself and family out of town.

Lots of folks can just about stretch the monthly amount to cover the month.

so asking/then telling folks to get outta dodge wqhen they can't unless you [local or fed govt] supply the means to get becomes a rathe moot point, i'd say.


In the mean time....i've heard 20 countries are offering /?sending varous types of help.

 

[kellyahern]

This sentiment is often repeated during tragedies such as this.

Let me make some generalizations so as to facilitate a point.

The most catastrophic become international news and when they are external to the U.S., as the tsunami was for example, the international community and American citizens alike await the response of the American administration. It has vast resources and, without question, almost always dedicates these to whatever pressing matter weighs on the world. In most cases, I'd hazard a guess that the American contribution represents the single largest donation from amongst all nations. As such it gets reported everywhere. In fact, the American donation can become itself a storyline within the ongoing story of the natural disaster.

When a disaster occurs within the States, however, the relative minuteness of what other nations have to offer becomes apparent. As such, the donations of other nations to the U.S. are going to be comparatively small. Domestic media will report it (as is being done here in Canada), but it will not be splashed all over CNN. I don't mean to suggest that American's aren't grateful for what help they have been offered. It is simply that what the U.S. has been offered is dwarfed by what the U.S. already has.

As such, unless you go searching for it, don't expect to hear about it within the U.S.

i sure hope this makes sense outside of my head...

It makes sense.

And I'm not sure if the problem here is lack of funding. The main problem seems to be lack of a plan, lack of organization.

Not to say that people shouldn't donate. Money is needed. But the situation seems to have gone out of control due to bad management (lack of police/national guard, etc.).

 

[BonosSaint]

We're giving you 10 mil, which I hope helps a little.

Thank you.

 

[hiphop]

According to diplomatic sources I understand that my country has offered immediate help and the U.S. replied "thank you, in that chaos, when we know what we need exactly we will get back to you". Unconvenient as it may sound, this may be the right way: I think the U.S. officials first have to find out where a small country like ours can help them best.

 

[trevster2k]

The world lines up to offer aid to Hurricane Katrina victims
Last Updated Fri, 02 Sep 2005 13:17:50 EDT
CBC News

More than three dozen countries, besides Canada have pledged assistance to the United States in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

Cuba and Venezuela have offered to help despite political differences. The list also includes Saudi Arabia, Dominica, Russia, France, Japan, China, El Salvador, Israel, Paraguay, the U.K., the United Arab Emirates, the Netherlands, Honduras, Germany, Venezuela, Jamaica, Australia, Switzerland, Greece, Hungary, Columbia, The Dominican Republic, Mexico, South Korea, New Zealand, Guatemala, Belgium, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Italy, Guyana, Indonesia, Austria, Lithuania, Spain, Norway and the Bahamas.

For example, Australia announced a donation of $8 million to the American Red Cross. Japan said it would contribute $200,000 to the American Red Cross and upon request $300,000 in tents, blankets, power generators, portable water tanks and other equipment.

The United States historically has aided victims of disasters but many have been critical that such a rich nation could do more.

Now that's a coalition of the willing, sorry cheap shot at Bushie, but I couldn't resist. Go world!

 

[hiphop]

A day or two should be enough to outline what the U.S. needs.

Everyone is waiting for the State Department. I fail to see why the U.S. hasn´t requested the help the international community wants to provide. Is Condi on another shopping trip? Or does it have to do with a weird image that Bush wants to project, like "America can take care of this alone"? On the cost of some more people dying?

I´m wondering beyond words that there isn´t any request as of yet.

from cnn:

The state-run Qatar News Agency said Saturday that Qatar's emir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, decided to contribute that amount for relief "and humanitarian supplies for the victims of this disaster."

The U.S. government has received offers of support from dozens of nations across the globe.

As of Friday, the White House had not accepted any offers, but Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said the State Department was "working very closely with the Department of Homeland Security to match up what is available with what is needed."

There was no immediate word whether the United States would take Qatar up on its offer.

Other offers of aid and assistance have come in from countries around the world -- including from India, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Indonesia, the four countries hardest-hit by the December 26 Asian tsunami.

The State Department said offers of help had been received from more than 50 countries, including:

Australia, Austria, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Belgium, Canada, China, Columbia, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, France, Germany, Guatemala, Greece, Guyana, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Paraguay, Philippines, Portugal, South Korea, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovakia, Spain, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Sweden, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates, and Venezuela.

International organizations also offered help ranging from medical teams to tents to cash donations. They include NATO, the Organization of American States, the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees, and the World Health Organization.

The United Nations has offered to help coordinate international relief.

State Department officials have not yet said if any of these offers -- beyond specific offers of cash to humanitarian organization -- have been accepted.

Following is a list of some of the aid offered by governments.

-- Sri Lanka has offered what it called a "token contribution" of $25,000 through the American Red Cross.

-- Mexico has offered $1 million and is sending 15 truckloads of water, food and medical supplies via Texas. The Mexican navy has offered to send two ships, two helicopters and 15 amphibious vehicles.

-- Australia is giving A$10 million ($7.6 million), most of it to the American Red Cross.

-- China has offered $5 million.

-- India is making a $5 million donation to the American Red Cross, Ambassador Ronen Sen said Saturday. In addition, Sen said India was willing to donate essential medicines to the relief effort, noting that India has the largest number of Food and Drug Administration-recognized pharmaceutical companies outside the United States.

-- -- Germany has offered a wide range of assistance including evacuation by air, medical services, transportation services, water treatment capabilities, assistance in searching for victims, vaccination teams and supplies, and emergency shelter. Germany has also said it is ready and willing to "dip into its own emergency oil reserves" to release some 2 million barrels a day for 30 days.

-- France has offered mobile help from the French Antilles, which is relatively close to the affected regions, including a civil defense detachment of 35 people, tents, camp beds, generators, motor pumps, water treatment units and emergency kits, two CASA cargo aircraft, a ship (Batral Francis Garnier) and the frigate Ventose with its Panther helicopter, and a hurricane disaster unit (20 soldiers and 900 kg of specialized supplies and medical support).

-- France has also offered assistance from the French mainland including: one or two C-135 planes, one A-310 aircraft , and four C-160 Transalls, an airborne emergency unit. In addition, the NGO Telecoms Sans Frontieres, which specializes in restoring phone lines and Internet service in disasters, is ready to send a team of experts and equipment. Veolia Environment, which has facilities in Louisiana, has offered to make its local water management resources available to the American authorities or the Red Cross. It can also quickly send in a team of hydraulic experts.

-- Japan has offered to provide $200,000 to the American Red Cross. The government of Japan will identify needs in the affected regions through the U.S. government and, upon request, is ready to provide necessary and available emergency assistance supply amounting to up to $300,000 worth of items such as tents, blankets, power generators, portable water tanks and more from a supply depot maintained by the Japanese government in Florida.

-- Cuba's President Fidel Castro said on Friday his nation was ready to send 1,100 doctors and 26 tons of medicine and equipment.

Asia
AUSTRALIA: "We're going to provide A$10 million ($7.6 million) and the bulk of that money, if not all of it, will go to the American Red Cross," said Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer. The Australian government said there may be up to 24 Australians trapped in Louisiana in the aftermath of Katrina.

CHINA: China offered $5 million in aid for victims of Hurricane Katrina which devastated the Gulf Coast ahead of President Hu Jintao's U.S. visit. If needed, the Chinese government is also prepared to send rescue workers, including medical experts, officials said.

JAPAN: Will provide $200,000 to the American Red Cross to assist victims of Hurricane Katrina, the Japanese Foreign Ministry said on Friday. Japan will also identify needs in affected regions via the U.S. government and will provide up to $300,000 in emergency supplies such as tents, blankets and power generators if it receives requests for such assistance, the ministry said.

SINGAPORE: The Singapore Armed Forces, responding to requests by the United States Texas Army National Guard, has sent three Chinook helicopters to Fort Polk, Louisiana, to help in relief efforts. The government said the Chinooks will help to ferry supplies and undertake airlift missions.

SOUTH KOREA: Has pledged aid and is waiting for a U.S. response, a government official said. "We have sent our intention to offer recovery aid," a Foreign Ministry official said on Friday.

SRI LANKA: Will donate $25,000 to the American Red Cross.

TAIWAN: Has pledged more than $3 million to the relief effort.

Americas
CANADA: Offered to help in any way it can and the navy is preparing a ship full of emergency disaster relief supplies to be sent when a request comes.

CUBA: Cuban President Fidel Castro offered to fly 1,100 doctors to Houston with 26 tonnes of medicine to treat disaster victims.

MEXICO: The country is sending 15 truckloads of water, food and medical supplies via Texas and the Mexican navy has offered to send two ships, two helicopters and 15 amphibious vehicles.

VENEZUELA: President Hugo Chavez, a vocal critic of the United States, offered to send cheap fuel, humanitarian aid and relief workers to the disaster area.

Europe
EUROPEAN UNION: EU countries are ready to give the United States oil if it requests help, EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana said on Friday. But British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said this was not what the EU had in mind when it discussed how to help.

FRANCE: Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin said France was ready to offer support, telling TF1 television: "We have rescue teams based in the Caribbean and we are naturally ready to provide aid to the Americans, and that is what we have told them."

GERMANY: Has offered mobile units to provide clean water, military hospital facilities and medical aid.

ITALY: Has offered to "immediately" send aid and evacuation specialists, Italy's civil protection unit said. Authorities have prepared two military transport planes to fly amphibious vessels, pumps, generators, tents and personnel to New Orleans and other areas. They were awaiting word from U.S. officials, the unit said.

NETHERLANDS: Will provide teams for inspecting dykes and for identifying victims if there is a formal request from the United States. It will also send a frigate from Curacao to New Orleans shortly to provide emergency assistance, the government said.

RUSSIA: Has offered to help with rescue efforts, but is still awaiting a reply from Washington. "Above all with heavy transport planes, which can be loaded with helicopters and generators -- as there is no electricity in the area of the catastrophe," Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov said.

SPAIN: Expects to receive a formal request to release gasoline stocks to the United States and is prepared to grant it, an Industry Ministry spokesman said.

SWEDEN: The Rescue Authority said it was on stand-by to supply water purifying equipment, healthcare supplies and emergency shelters if needed.

UNITED KINGDOM: British Prime Minister Tony Blair has said Britain stands ready to help the United States in whatever way it can.

Middle East
SAUDI ARABIA - Saudi Refining, a Houston-based subsidiary of state oil firm Saudi Aramco, will donate $5 million to the American Red Cross to support relief efforts for victims of Hurricane Katrina.

 

[Angela Harlem]

Thank you.

It doesn't seem like much. What I wish we could give is time. Time to whip some more substantial aid up, accomodation and the basics for survival - the things which anyone doing in normal time will end up causing delays of months, perhaps years for some. The news report I saw just before was saying the stadium in Houston is predicting it will be in use by those staying there for 4 months. 4 months! It is impossible to comprehend.

 

[BonosSaint]

$10,000,000 Australian is 20,000,000 bottles of water or clothing or building 100 houses or a ton of medicine. Thank you for the money. Thank you for the concern. It adds up. And you're giving it to the right place.

 

[MrsSpringsteen]

The Gulf emirate of Qatar announced it will donate 100 million dollars to relief efforts for the US victims of Hurricane Katrina.

The aid was granted by Qatar's emir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani "in the name of the government and the Qatari people," the official news agency QNA said.

Quoting a foreign ministry spokesman, QNA said: "Qatar expresses its sympathy and its solidarity to the US people and government in these painful circumstances and sends its condolences to the families of the victims in this humanitarian catastrophe."

Three other Arab countries -- Saudi Arabia, Jordan and the United Arab Emirates -- have also offered aid to the United States.

The hurricane wreaked devastation on the three southern states of Mississippi, Louisiana and Alabama and caused thousands of deaths.

A US-based risk management company that specializes in disaster recovery said that the damage caused by the storm in Louisiana and Mississippi is likely to surpass 100 billion dollars.

 

[s_tielemans]

It was here (Holland) on the news that 50 countries have offered help, including Iran (not a clue what they offered, but a very nice gesture anyway).

 

[knox]

Many countries have offered assistance, Canada, offered immediate assistance, of course, the media is not reporting this either mainly because they have more important issues to discuss.

I actually recall reading that Martin was under fire from the Conservatives for not responding in any way at all until Wednesday, when he placed a phone call to Bush -- is this accurate?

 

[ladywithspinninghead]

I actually recall reading that Martin was under fire from the Conservatives for not responding in any way at all until Wednesday, when he placed a phone call to Bush -- is this accurate?

Oh yes, the opposition has been making a big deal of the fact Martin waited until Wednesday before making his call to Bush whereas Martin`s counterparts had expressed their condolences on Monday and Tuesday...

 

[U2Bama]

From the Southern USA, thanks.

Many of you Canadians probably know that you have a historic tie to some of the early settlers of the New Orleans area, the "Cajuns," who were transplanted French Canadians from the colony then known as Acadia (eastern Canada stretching into present-day Maine), deported/relocated after a French landswap and subsequent war with the British. The Band has a great song about their history, as written by Robbie Robertson. There are some historical debates of the accuracy of Robertson's details, but a great song nonetheless:

The war was over and the spirit was broken
The hills were smokin' as the men withdrew
We stood on the cliffs
Oh, and watched the ships
Slowly sinking to their rendezvous
They signed a treaty and our homes were taken
Loved ones forsaken
They didn't give a damn
Try'n' to raise a family
End up the enemy
Over what went down on the plains of Abraham

Acadian driftwood
Gypsy tail wind
They call my home the land of snow
Canadian cold front movin' in
What a way to ride
Oh, what a way to go

Then some returned to the motherland
The high command had them cast away
And some stayed on to finish what they started
They never parted
They're just built that way
We had kin livin' south of the border
They're a little older and they've been around
They wrote a letter life is a whole lot better
So pull up your stakes, children and come on down

Fifteen under zero when the day became a threat
My clothes were wet and I was drenched to the bone
Been out ice fishing, too much repetition
Make a man wanna leave the only home he's known
Sailing out of the gulf headin' for Saint Pierre
Nothin' to declare
All we had was gone
Broke down along the coast
But what hurt the most
When the people there said
"You better keep movin' on"

Everlasting summer filled with ill-content
This government had us walkin' in chains
This isn't my turf
This ain't my season
Can't think of one good reason to remain
I've worked in the sugar fields up from New Orleans
It was ever green up until the floods
You could call it an omen
Points ya where you're goin'
Set my compass north
I got winter in my blood

Acadian driftwood
Gypsy tail wind
They call my home the land of snow
Canadian cold front movin' in
What a way to ride
Ah, what a way to go

Sais tu, a-ca-di-e j’ai le mal du pays
[You know, Acadia, I long for the country (I am homesick)]
Ta neige, acadie, fait des larmes au soleil
[your snow, acadia, makes tears in the sun (or for the sun)]
J’arrive acadie, teedle um, teedle um, teedle ooh
[i am arriving acadia (or I am coming acadia)]

~U2Alabama

 

[hiphop]

The Bush administration has rejected the help offered by Venezuelan President Chavez.

Seems that the U.S. President is not interested in cheap gasoline. How someone can reject help in such a major disaster, is beyond my imagination.

 

[sulawesigirl4]

Nations Await Answer to Katrina Aid Offers

By MIKE CORDER Associated Press Writer

September 07,2005 | SYDNEY, Australia -- Many of the nations offering aid to the United States after Hurricane Katrina -- including India, South Korea, Japan and Germany -- said Wednesday they were still waiting to hear back from Washington on whether their donations had been accepted.

rest of story here