Tsunami- Asia

[iamnice50]

Does anyone find it sad that Australia donated 40 million dollars to the Tsunami victims in Asia while Canada, one of the richests countries, only donates a lousy two million?

[tartanwiz]

Two million is better than nothing at all.  And Australia has very close economic links with eastern Asian countries.  It's not just a matter of goodwill -  Australia has its own interests to think of, and if truth be told Australia owes these countries big time.

[smudge]

I thought we were supposed to be bossom buddies with America, that is until I read the differing amounts we are donating to this sad cause:

UK �50m

US �18m

 

It doesn't add up does it?

[smudge]

America's pledge has since been increased.

[Greedyfly]

I think its sad that they keep mentioning how many brits have died like we should care more about our country rather than care so much about the 150,000 people who have died.  I cried when I saw that news shot they showed last night on TV - all the bodies laid about it is so so sad.  It also seems that we offered more money once we knew what every one else was offering as though we were trying to look better. Its disgusting, we should help as much as we can places like Marks & spencer and boots have buckets for cash to send and I have already given what I can and I urge others to help if they have the means to.

[WoWo]

I think any donation be it �10 million or 10p should not be criticised or commented apon. I agree we do tend to dwell on the 'British' angle but we are pretty well informed in this country and can say all of the London papers have focused on the tradegy as whole rather than reporting from an overly British position.

[edf]

Where do you get your data from.  Check it again, Canada has given $40,000,000  alone from the federal goverment, $5,000,000 from the provence of Ontario, $8,000,000 from British Columbia as well as a cumulative effort to raise money from corporations and citizens.

[Ouisch]

President Bush has stated more than once that that amount was the initial aid package, and that it will be increased as soon as they study the situation and determine what areas need what, etc.

[lukey121]

The US has donated $350 million

[creatastar]

In all due honesty, I think whatever a country gives, a country gives.  Help is help.  I have not donated a lot, but I don't have a million to give...how many millions did you donate to constitute a judgment against others for their millions they gave?

[ayemeeh]

In reply to the guy that says Australia owes Asia big time! This is not a debate against countries and who owes who whatever, this is a horrible tragic disaster.
We're should never have to owe any favors to anyone, we should help for the kindness of it. Australia (Which is where I'm from by the way) is the neighbours to a lot of these countries that got hit. Many people have family living over there and its a very popular tourist destination which could be why a bit more money was donated.

On a brighter side of things HAPPY NEW YEAR

[ianess]

In my humble opinion as long as there is no financial capital to be made, then our so-called civilised governments don`t see the need to become involved.  It was a natural disaster...there was no-one to blame.....and it`s only now that they`ve been shamed by public reaction that they`re now making appropriate noises.

The mighty US of A was slow to react but I bet they`ve already got plans in place to run the economies of these stricken countries in return for `humanitarian` aid.  Remember `lend-lease` in WW2 ?   

[Lindy Loo]

Why is there so much bitterness and arguement about which country has donated what?  In this situation every penny counts;  where it comes from and how much each donation is for should be irrelavent.

 

As a point of interest the aid pledges for the victims have now reached $1.6 billion.

[Clanad]

The actual facts of Roosevelt's Lend-Lease Act of 1941 are severely different than what ianess has implied. When the war had ended the Lend-Lease program had extended over $41 billion in aid to more than 40 nations (some sources say the aid was as high as $50 billion). Britiain got the biggest share or roughly $30 billion and the Soviets about $11 billion. China got $1 billion. Be reminded this is in 1941 dollars.

Less than $10 billion of that aid was ever repaid, making this appear more like the donation and support it really was. Additionally, it doesn't appear the US is running the economies of the countries.

I think you'd be better served by understanding the slow development of news of this horrendous event and the willingness of many countries, including the US, to do evrything humanly possible to alleviate the suffering strictly on humanitarian purposes...  

[Kev_UK]

I see you say CANADA and not USA. The population of Canada is only 30 million people, half that of the UK, and is not one of the richest countries.

Canada are sending troops and supplies in I believe.

[D_Parnell]

I think it's a shame that some people haven't got anything better to do than bicker about who gave what. Surely the point is that it has been given. Also it's a shame that even a disaster of this scale has little impact on many people who are too wrapped up in their own lives to care what is going on anywhere else. Surely as civilised people it is time we stood up and showed that we do know the meaning of the words compassion and love. One day it may be us needing that sympathy!

[melaniep]

Australia only owes it's neighbours the kind of support any neighbour should give - Aussies in general are very happy at personal and government aid efforts, and expected no less. We are an Asian-Pacific country and the health of the region relates directly to the health of our own country.

I also do not feel that it is up to me to criticise foreign aid efforts without knowing the full situation. I do admit to prejudice however, when it comes to the US Administration (not the US people I hasten to add, who I feel are willing to help out of the goodness of their hearts). While Australia will use this situation for economic leverage in the region in future, the US are more likely to use this disaster for a greater military presence in the area (as they were already doing in Indonesia in 2003/2004 to gain a foothold against N Korea and China).

I will eat my words if, after the worst of the disater has been cleared up, the US goes back to their own region without trying to interfere in the governing of the S-E Asia region. Only then will I belive that their asisstance was genuine.

[iamnice50]

What about the Canadian Goverment officials that said "The Tsunami is not our problem"?

Can you see the love and compassion shown there?

[smerf]

the reason why canada has only sent two million dollars is because they are still working on raising money for it like H.B.Beal Secondary School

[iamnicer]

To: iamnice50

What's your beef with Canadians?!

Fact: The Canadian Gov't was the first G8 country to declare a moratorium on debt repayment for countries affected by the disaster.

Fact: The Canadian Federal G't has promised a minimum $80M (all amounts in CAD) and will likely increase this amount to match the amount donated by individual Canadians (so far exceeding $70M). Provincial gov'ts have pledged an additional $18.5M.

Fact: The Canadian Gov'nt has sent its Disaster Assistance Response Team � about 200 Canadian Forces soldiers � to provide drinking water and medical treatment, repair basic infrastructure, and set up facilities to make communication easier between everyone involved in the relief effort. This will cost upwards of $20M.

Fact: The Canadian Gov't has sent a team of forensic medical experts to help with the identification of the dead.

Fact: 3 federal cabinet ministers from Canada have already travelled to the region to assess the damage and help determine what relief to provide. The Prime Minister has scheduled a visit mid-month.

Fact: The Canadian Gov't has declared this coming Saturday (the 8th) a national day or mourning for the victims of the disaster, and have planned ceremonies all across the country.

Fact: The Canadian Gov't is trying to fast-track over 1,000 immigration applications from people trying to bring their spouses or dependent children to Canada from areas affected by the tsunami.

There are probably many more things the Canadian Gov't is working on right now that I have no knowledge of.

[And please note that I have only given examples of what the government has done -- not individual Canadians, businesses, or non-for-profits.]

Before you bash another country for lack of compassion, please do a little research first.

[iamnicer]

To: iamnice50

What's your beef with Canadians?!

Fact: The Canadian Gov't was the first G8 country to declare a moratorium on debt repayment for countries affected by the disaster.

Fact: The Canadian Federal Gov't has promised a minimum $80M (all amounts in CAD) and will likely increase this amount to match the amount donated by individual Canadians (so far exceeding $70M). Provincial gov'ts have pledged an additional $18.5M.

Fact: The Canadian Gov't has sent its Disaster Assistance Response Team � about 200 Canadian Forces soldiers � to provide drinking water and medical treatment, repair basic infrastructure, and set up facilities to make communication easier between everyone involved in the relief effort. This will cost upwards of $20M.

Fact: The Canadian Gov't has sent a team of forensic medical experts to help with the identification of the dead.

Fact: 3 federal cabinet ministers from Canada have already travelled to the region to assess the damage and help determine what relief to provide. The Prime Minister has scheduled a visit mid-month.

Fact: The Canadian Gov't has declared this coming Saturday (the 8th) a national day or mourning for the victims of the disaster, and have planned ceremonies all across the country.

Fact: The Canadian Gov't is trying to fast-track over 1,000 immigration applications from people trying to bring their spouses or dependent children to Canada from areas affected by the tsunami.

There are probably many more things the Canadian Gov't is working on right now that I have no knowledge of.

[And please note that I have only given examples of what the government has done -- not individual Canadians, businesses, or non-for-profits.]

Before you bash another country for lack of compassion, please do a little research first.