35 million is generous compared to the rest of the world

[NewYorkerfromMass]

I think criticism of our aid is ONLY valid when held up to our Iraqi squanderings.
Look at this list, China is only kicking in 2.6 mill, and they are much more directly affected.

AUSTRALIA: 4 transport planes; $7.6 million
BELGIUM: 22 tons of aid from MSF and UNICEF to Sri Lanka
BRITAIN: Plastic sheets, tents to Sri Lanka; 370,000 pounds to EU aid effort; $100,000 to WHO relief effort
CANADA: $4 million to Red Cross-Red Crescent
CHINA: $2.6 million in emergency aid
CZECH REPUBLIC: Plane to Sri Lanka with drinking water; also aid worth $444,400
EUROPEAN UNION: 3 million euros immediately
FRANCE: Plane, rescue workers and aid to Sri Lanka; 100,000 euros for rescue efforts in Thailand
GERMANY: 1 million euros; disaster relief team sent to Sri Lanka
GREECE: 17 doctors and medical staff
ISRAEL: Medical teams to Sri Lanka and Thailand; search and rescue team to Sri Lanka
JAPAN: Medical team to Sri Lanka; damage assessment group to Indonesia
KUWAIT: $1 million in aid supplies
NETHERLANDS: 2 million euros to Red Cross-Red Crescent appeal
SINGAPORE: $1.2 million to global effort; medical teams on standby
SPAIN: 1 million euros; plane with aid and sanitary equipment to Sri Lanka
SWEDEN: Tents and communications equipment to Maldives; $750,000 to global appeal
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES: $2 million in aid; three plane-loads of aid to India, Indonesia and Sri Lanka
UNITED STATES: $15 million in aid; three patrol aircraft to assess damage
IMF: Intends to provide help, but no specifics UNHCR: Plastic sheeting, plastic mats, rope and non-food relief packages for 2,000 families in Sri Lanka
UNICEF: Clothing, blankets and sleeping mats, water tanks, medical supplies in Sri Lanka and India
UN DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM: $100,000 each to Sri Lanka, India, Indonesia, the Maldives and Thailand to assess needs
UN POPULATION FUND: $1 million to address health needs of pregnant and nursing women

http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2004/12/27/graham-tsunami041227.html

[Walt Starr]

1. As a percentage of GDP, it's paltry by comparison

:shrug:

Go figure.

[Name removed]

6. Deleted message

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[Walt Starr]

8. Singapore GDP 86 billion 1.2 million in contributions

and the US made 15 million in contributions, the other 20 million are LOANS.

As a percentage of GDP the U.S. is giving .0001378% and Singapore is giving .001395% or more than ten times what the U.S. is giving.

Singapore is but one example from the list you showed.

[bowens43]

10. the fact is that the US

of all the industrialized nations the US gives the least in aid per capitia. It's shameful.

[Egalitariat]

43. I think you mean as a % of GDP. Not per capita.

Also, these numbers don't include the donations that US citizens give directly.

If a US citizen gives aid money directly, or if a US citizen gives it to the government (via taxes) and then the government gives aid, it's still money that comes from US citizens.

If we're going to do a meaningful analysis, we should look at all the numbers.

[BurtWorm]

46. It's .14% of GDP, the lowest of any "western" nation.

According to a story on yahoo cited in a thread in GD: Politics.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x1457753

[Rose Siding]

83. In '03, we were 22nd on the list of donor nations figuring % of GNP

http://www.globalissues.org/TradeRelated/Debt/USAid.asp#ForeignAidNumbersinChartsandGraphs

In 1962, our aid contributions as a % of GDP was .58% while the projection for '05 is .09%

Appendix 1. Development Aid Trends, 1962 - 2005
http://www.cbpp.org/4-25-00bud.htm

[The Stranger]

45. That's quite a sample you've got there.

What about the other 16 countries you had posted earlier?

[Name removed]

49. Deleted message

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[Name removed]

61. Deleted message

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[SOS]

81. France 100,000 euros?! Wrong.

"France announced $20.5 million in aid Wednesday and said it was sending 60 tons of aid to Sri Lanka, Indonesia and the Maldives."

Since we're adjusting for size of GDP, France is giving 4 times more than the US.

Speaking of getting facts straight....

[Name removed]

86. Deleted message

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[cheezus]

2. these numbers are meaningless

how about as % of GDP or some other real measure?

[NewYorkerfromMass]

3. Here you go.

Others may analyse.

http://www.worldfactsandfigures.com/gdp_country_desc.php

[Walt Starr]

4. GDP per capita is a different number

We need to analyse vs. total GDP.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

9. Here's total by Purchasing Power Parity

and like I say, China and Japan are getting off easy.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_GDP_%28PPP%29

[Walt Starr]

15. Well yeah! That fits in with the claim that rich countries are being sting

It's not isolated to the U.S., but we have made paltry contributions.

[PaulaFarrell]

33. according to OCHA (who that?)

Japan is giving 29 million

http://ocha.unog.ch/fts/reports/pdf/OCHA_10_14794.pdf

[HuckleB]

5. Many questions.

Are these numbers fully comprehensive? It seems doubtful. Further, our "aid" usually comes with strings attached, meaning the aid must be used to hire US companies, often the same Bechtel-Halliburton circle that everyone knows so well as having been built off of US and IMF "aid" to other nations.

[bpilgrim]

7. it's actually ONLY $15m in AID the rest, $20m is a 'LINE OF CREDIT'

let's get the base line numbers right, before we start trying to defend our greedy corporate masters, please.

GDP

peace

[Darkhawk32]

12. Line of Credit?

Oh how tacky is that?!?!

[bpilgrim]

21. State Department Daily Briefing -December 28, 2004

QUESTION: Adam, can you just -- the $20 million, exactly what is the status of that? Is that to be disbursed fairly soon or is it just --

MR. ERELI: Like the $11 million, it will be -- the 11 million additional, it will be disbursed to our missions and to local NGOs and other organizations as the need arises. The way to think of it is as a line of credit, frankly, that here is money available to be drawn upon to get equipment, to develop capacity, to provide supplies and relief to the people in need, as those needs are identified and as the institutions are identified that are capable of making use of the money. So think of it as a line of credit to be drawn down upon, as opposed to just a pot of money to be thrown out there.

source...
http://www.allamericanpatriots.com/m-news+article+storyid-4181-PHPSESSID-ee45540e2177f775903f06d75bfadc13.html

thats just GROSS :puke:

peace

[cali]

11. I actually question the value

of these discussions right now, however, your list is not up to date. Australia has added $25 mil Australian. Saudi Arabia has kicked in 10 mil. The EU is donating many millions. The amounts will continue to increase from all donor countries and organizations. At this point, all I care about is that enough aid is flowing to those in need. I'll wait to bitch about who gives what until a later date.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

13. agreed, it's a dynamic situation

I think the scale of the calamity was/is being assessed as the aid amounts increase appropriately.

[bloom]

14. Seems to me it's a matter of do you/can you question/criticize your gov't.

At least that is what it sounds like to me.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

18. just looking at historical comparisons

and frankly this is the worst catastrophe of my lifetime, save the Bangladesh cyclone of 1970 which took at least 300,000 lives.
Criticism of our govt. is always welcome.

[cali]

22. I criticize my government

soundly, roundly, frequently and publicly. Haven't had any problem doing so to date. I'm not quite sure I got the point of your post, but my point is simple: Let's get aid to the people who need it and prevent tens of thousands from perishing. A good way to do this is through private donations. Yes, I want my country to be generous, but we can effect the most immediate aid by making sure that NCOs are well funded. Personally, I like Americares and Doctors Without Borders.

[quaoar]

23. Plus,

Cambodia, with per capita GDP of $1,700, is donating $40,000.

[quaoar]

24. The New York Yankees

have to pay more than $25 million to the rest of the baseball clubs in luxury tax for the amount they went over the salary cap.

So how significant is a pathetic $15 million in direct aid and $20 million in a line of credit?

[Geek_Girl]

87. I think the Bitching is actually a good Thing

If anything it's making all of these countries up the anti so they don't look "stingy" If the world leaders have to keep up with Jones's then the victims will hopefully be able to get the aid they need and in the end that is all that matters.

[northzax]

16. charity starts at home

the decision of someone else to give money and or aid should not affect your own giving. The United States is giving the equvalent of $.15 (yes, that's fifteen cents) for every man woman and child in the country. surely, in this christmas season, we can do a dollar a person?

on the flip side, I don't think money (in the form of cash) is what is really needed right now, that will be needed in a few weeks to begin rebuilding. What is needed now are in kind gifts, sanitation engineers, heavgy machinery, dicitrs and nurses, medicine, food and water. Only the US has the airlift capability to immeidatly affect the lives of millions of people.

Charity aside. this is a serious geopolitical opportunity to demonsrate our real compassion asa people. The US military should be in Indonesia, the world's largest Muslim Country, working to help the people survivie this tragedy and rebuild thier lives. US soldiers, without guns, actually working to help muslim people. You know, what we said we were doing in Iraq? let's actually do it. Lest the fundamentalist Muslims of Saudi Arabia do it for us.

[MsTryska]

62. Rebuilding you say?

dare we send them Halliburton?


their really the ONLY company in the entire WORLD that can handle this sort of rebuilding effort.




okay i feel dirty now, for even thinking of inflicting halliburton on those poor people.

[Shadowen]

17. *cracks his knuckles*

Okay, here we go...

USA GDP: $9.963 trillion (US Est.)
USA Aid: $35 million
Ratio: 664200 to 1.

More later.

[Green Mountain Dem]

19. Then again there is 40 million....

that will be used for an inauguration parade and celebration. That has to be just as important as 60,000+ dead and millions homeless. Right ??

[MsTryska]

63. 40 mil?

what the hell is he spending that one?


for christsakes an inauguration is a judge a man and his bible.

and parades are people marching through the streets.


40 mil?



let me guess - 39.5 mil is to pay his crack security team, isn't it?

[Hard_Work]

64. nail on the head, here

let me guess - 39.5 mil is to pay his crack security team, isn't it?

SOMEBODY has to be paid to secure the crack, n'est pas? Crack is expensive...

[MsTryska]

66. *lol* he should just switch

to meth.


then he can be even more like hitler.

[neweurope]

20. Small Germany is giving 20 million Euros right now and will

probably give even more. Chancellor Schröder has also suggested remission of debt for Indonesia and Somalia. So I don't think these figures are quite correct :)

[Name removed]

25. Deleted message

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[Kathy in Cambridge]

29. There's private aid from Europe there too; the french were the 1st

ones over with medical units, personnel and aid.

It's pitiful given the size of our country and the magnitude of the disaster that we're not doing more.

[Name removed]

34. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Cobalt Violet]

36. Too bad we can't use all the money we spend KILLING iraqis ...

to save the lives of tsunami victims. I which Bush would ACT like the Christian he pretends to be.

[Kathy in Cambridge]

37. Most of our aid is loans

French send relief workers, medicine, etc. Doctors Without Borders is a French organization.

You're a doctor, aren't you? Why don't you hop the first flight over and put your money where your mouth is. :-)

[neweurope]

51. "French gave less than 200 000 dollars". Untrue. There must really

be somre propaganda against my poor neighbouring country :)

France gives 15 million Euros and is also part of EU which gives 20 million Euros right now and will probably give 30 million Euros:

"La France a annoncé mercredi avoir affecté 15 millions d'euros à l'aide internationale...

La Commission européenne, après une première aide de trois millions d'euros pour couvrir les besoins vitaux, avait annoncé le même jour 20 millions d'euros d'aide supplémentaire et se dit en mesure de mobiliser jusqu'à 30 millions."

http://actu.voila.fr/Dossiers/article_dossier1_.html

I think the discrepancy in the numbers might be because the European countrys have certain sums they can give right away without a debate. Then the heads of State and the parliaments can decide to give more - which they have. For instance the European Union at once stated it would give 3 million Euros, two days later that was 30 million.

[Flagg]

71. France allocates 15 million Euros in aid for tsunami-hit.

FRANCE ALLOCATES 15 MILLION EUROS IN AID FOR TSUNAMI-HIT NATIONS
Received Wednesday, 29 December 2004 15:55:00 GMT

PARIS, Dec 29 (AFP) - France will provide 15 million euros (20 million dollars) in international aid for nations hit by the tsunami disaster in the Indian Ocean over the weekend, as the overall death toll rose to 80,000, the government said Wednesday.
Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin, who took the decision after talks with President Jacques Chirac, also asked that "all measures be taken to ensure the care and support of French nationals on their return to France," a statement said.
It said Raffarin was following the situation closely and asked that "everything possible be done to determine the whereabouts of our compatriots who are still unaccounted for".
Earlier Wednesday, French Foreign Minister Michel Barnier flew back from Asia after dropping off aid in Sri Lanka and Thailand, returning with 12 badly hurt French nationals, Chirac's office said.
It said France was coordinating European aid flowing to Sri Lanka and had added a navy patrol boat to its own contribution to the island state. Several French police officers were in the country helping identify the dead.
France has confirmed that at least 20 nationals died in the catastrophe, 19 of them in Thailand where "hundreds" of other French citizens were missing.

http://www.ttc.org/200412291555.ibtftsc16569.htm

Sorry to burst your bubble
lol

[itzamirakul]

53. Yeah, let them pull themselves up by

their own bootstraps...right? Why should we, the greatest nation in the world be overly concerned with the desperate, life-threatening needs of others? Charity helps no one. Maybe they are just lazy. Anyway, as you say, it is enuf. IYO <end sarcasm>

BTW, welcome to DU

[Spazito]

67. Many countries are sending private donations, ships, food, tents...

etc, the point being made was with regard to the cash aid and, seeing as 20 million of the 35 million is a loan or, rather, a 'line of credit', one can only say the bush admin is contributing 15 million in funds.

[Forkboy]

69. Your post simply doesn't suprise me at all

[Rose Siding]

84. Canada commits $40 million

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/cpress/20041229/ca_pr_on_na/tsunami_cda_aid_4

[otohara]

26. We Spend 9 Million Per Hour in Iraq

$35 million is peanuts

[tandot]

27. and there is Bush...spending 40 Million on his coron..ups...inauguration

And if you look at our GDP, we are giving way less percentage wise than other nations.

This morning, on CNN, I heard an expert on terrorism say that if the US doesn't pitch in big time, we'll regret it later. We can show our goodwill toward Muslim countries by helping in a huge way...not just measly 35 Million.

These people are devastated and have an extremely bleak future if we don't step up more. Hopeless people are perfect recruits for terrorists. The recruiters just have to stir their anger in direction of the US and tell them we refused to help them because they are Muslims. These destroyed countries will either be helped by us and other industrialized nations, or be taken over by terrorists. As we have seen in Iraq: Chaos is a perfect breeding ground for terrorism.

A nation that has 40 Million to squander for an Inauguration should be much more benevolent in helping the poor and needy.

[bones_7672]

28. IF YOU DONT LIKE THE FIGURES, DONATE YOUR OWN DAMN $$$

geez, the whiners here are getting to me!!!

[Cobalt Violet]

31. That is our money, our tax money.

We in the blue states should get some say in how it's spent since we pay more than red state cheapo Bu$hCo and his cheapo voters.

[Kathy in Cambridge]

40. Exactly. They use our tax $ for faith-based Bullshit

I would rather have it help vicims of this horrible tragedy.

[bpilgrim]

32. it is OUR cash AND we 'whiners' are just trying to keep the facts STRAIGT

hello...

peace

[proud2BlibKansan]

38. We have donated

damnit!!

And this money is OUR tax dollars.

If you don't like the whiners, ignore the thread.

[Name removed]

55. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Spazito]

68. LOL I thought only republicans didn't recognize tax moneys as...

belonging to the people, paid by the people and not to the bush admin, damn, guess I was wrong!

[Forkboy]

70. And your posts are getting to me

Guess we have to deal with each other.

[Piperay]

85. It's not the same

it's good to give on your own but other countries look on the official amount and see that the US is being a cheapskate and that reflects on our relations with the rest of the World.

[quaoar]

30. I always thought America was the leader of the Free World

Standing like a Colossus astride the world, Reagan's Shining City on a Hill ... bring us your tired, your poor, your huddled masses ...

Since when do we judge our generosity against Kuwait, the Czech Republic, the United Arab Emirates, etc.?

We are supposed to set the standard. We are supposed to set an example for the rest of the world -- not figure up our share based on what everyone else is doing.

Shall we just sit around and wait to see what Jacques Chirac plans to do?

[velvet]

35. Correction

Australia is giving AUD$35 million (roughly US$27 million) When the news first broke it was 10 million, and yesterday it was increased.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200412/s1273599.htm?fp_news_stor

[quaoar]

39. Welcome to DU, Velvet

[velvet]

47. ooh, you're quick

Thank you quaoar, glad to finally arrive. I've been lurking since Nov 3 - no prizes for guessing what first brought me here.

[donheld]

72. Welcome to DU velvet

:hi:

[spinbaby]

41. I question the accuracy of that list

Just last night on the news, I saw Japan was sending 60 million.

[firebee]

48. 60 million from Japan??? Is that in U.S. Dollars or Yen

If that's in Yen, that's like 200 million dollars.

[spinbaby]

58. Dollars

And I think you have your dollar-to-yen conversions wrong :-)

[SmokingJacket]

42. All the numbers are meaningless right now.

This disaster is going to keep happening -- disease, rebuilding, etc. -- for a while. We'll probably give more, they'll probably give more.

But I wouldn't be satisfied unless we spent MORE on rebuilding the tsunami areas than we have in Iraq... and that ain't gonna happen.

[HEyHEY]

44. Canada is sending more

They are waiting to see the total assesment.

[aneerkoinos]

50. Finland, population 5 million

2,5 million euros donated through Red Cross and UN organizations.
In two days private donations to Red Cross and other NGO's already 1,2 million euros. Many cities have canselled New Year's fireworks and use the money to help Asia. Field hospital already in Sri Lanka, planeloads of aid material to Thailand, etc.

Lot's of other information missing from the list, EU 3 + c. 30 million euros, UK pledged 15 million pounds (over 20 million euros), 20 million euros from Germany, 15 million euros from France. So EU and member states together have already pledged well over 100 million euros.

Norway 8 million dollars for emergency relief.
Denmark pledge of over 15 million dollars

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_world/view/124763/1/.html
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/110433536336.htm

[itzamirakul]

52. You left off The National Republic of

Haliburton. How much are they donating?

[Tinoire]

54. That list is the most MISLEADING list I have yet to see! EU- 156 million

Sounds like a right-wing story cleverly hiding behind semantics like "INITIAL HELP FROM AROUND THE WORLD".

Yesterday morning shocked by the stinginess of the US and Canada, I went and searched for this info. As of yesterday morning the EU had coughed up/pledged 91.6 million Euros and that's Euros- not dollar crap. And to add absolute insult to injury $20 million of what the US is recalcitrantly forking over is a http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x2876487">DAMN LOAN :mad: :mad: :mad:

On TOP of their collective efforts, individual nations in the EU pledged millions on their own. That article is extremely misleading. Their INITIAL offering, reported yesterday morning, was

$4 million in Emergency aid + $27 million pledged + individual EU

Countries like Spain, Germany, Ireland and Belgium each pledging an additional million. So far that's $35 million and I'm sure the figure has risen but only went by this article.

EUROPEAN UNION: Ready to release up to 30 million euro ($52.6 million) on top of 3 million euro ($5.25 million) already allocated to IFRC.

Offers of aid have poured in from around the world in the past two days, with the European Union's executive arm releasing $4 million in emergency aid and pledging an additional $27 million. Canada and several European nations — including Spain, Germany, Ireland and Belgium — each pledged about $1 million yesterday.
http://www.washtimes.com/national/20041228-122330-7268r.htm
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=1103111


Here is their current offering of approx 156 million and they're still coughing up money as we speak.

The following is a list of contributions pledged, compiled from reports by Reuters bureaux and UN agencies.

AUSTRALIA: Increased its aid to $US27 million ($35 million) and said it, the United States, Japan and India were considering setting up a group to coordinate help. Also sent five air force transport planes with supplies and medical specialists to Sumatra, and two 15-member emergency medical teams and 12 police to Phuket.

AUSTRIA: Pledged 1 million euro ($1.75 million) in aid to the countries hit.

BELGIUM: Military plane due to stop at Dubai to load most of its cargo - UNICEF aid such as tents, vaccines.

BRITAIN: Pledged STG15 million ($37.2 million) to the devastated area and has sent plastic sheets and tents worth STG250,000 ($620,350) to Sri Lanka. Contributing STG370,000 ($918,110) to EU aid and $US100,000 ($128,500) to World Health Organisation.

CANADA: Initial contribution of $C1 million ($1.05 million) to appeal for $US6.5 million ($8.35 million) by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).

CHINA: Offering 21.6 million yuan ($3.3 million) of aid to India, Indonesia, Thailand, Sri Lanka and Maldives.

CZECH REPUBLIC: Sent planes to Sri Lanka and Thailand with drinking water and medicine, part of pledge of aid worth 10 million crowns ($573,120).

DENMARK: Increased aid pledge by maximum 85 million Danish crowns ($20.05 million) after spending almost all initial 10 million crowns pledged. Aid will cover immediate needs - medical supplies, food, water, shelter - and reconstruction.

UNICEF flight from its Copenhagen depot taking 45 tonnes of supplies to the area, including oral rehydration salts and medical supplies for 150,000 people for three months.

EGYPT: Egyptian Red Crescent Society sending a plane with 500,000 Egyptian pounds ($104,090) worth of medicine and other aid as initial step.

EUROPEAN UNION: Ready to release up to 30 million euro ($52.6 million) on top of 3 million euro ($5.25 million) already allocated to IFRC.

FINLAND: Pledged 2.5 million euro ($4.38 million) spread among World Food Program, UNICEF, WHO and IFRC. Local aid groups contributed further 75,000 euro ($131,370). Finnish Red Cross has sent a field hospital with 15 staff to Sri Lanka and 31 aid workers to Thailand.

FRANCE: Foreign Minister Michel Barnier in Sri Lanka, then Thailand. Has earmarked 100,000 euro ($175,160) for relief, sent 16 rescuers to Thailand, 10 tonnes aid to Sri Lanka.
A Paris, le gouvernement français a annoncé une contribution de 15 millions d'euros à l'aide internationale dans la région, et l'Allemagne a porté la sienne à 20 millions d'euros. Le chancelier Gerhard Schröder a par ailleurs demandé au Club de Paris de décréter un moratoire sur le remboursement de la dette de l'Indonésie et la Somalie.

GERMANY: Doubling emergency aid to 2 million euro ($3.5 million). Air force medical evacuation plane to set off for Phuket, two more planes chartered to take disaster relief teams, medicines and consular officials there. Germany's largest utility E.ON to donate 1 million euro ($1.75 million).

GREECE: Sending C-130 transport aircraft carrying 25 rescue workers to Phuket tomorrow to help with rescue operations.

Has sent plane to Sri Lanka carrying five tonnes of food and clothing, and offered 150,000 euros in aid to each of the two countries.

ISRAEL: Sent one medical team to Sri Lanka, one to Thailand.

Military search and rescue team due in Sri Lanka, held up by coordination problems.

ITALY: Will send 2 Hercules aircraft, one to Sri Lanka, one to Thailand.

JAPAN: Pledged $US30 million ($38.6 million) in aid, sent three navy vessels to Thailand to help rescue survivors.

KUWAIT: Pledged aid supplies worth $US2 million ($2.6 million), sent $US100,000 ($128,500) immediate aid.

NETHERLANDS: Contributing 2 million euro ($3.5 million) to Red Cross-Red Crescent appeal, plus participating in EU aid program.

NORWAY: Preliminary contribution of 50 million Norwegian crowns ($10.5 million) for emergency relief, including basic necessities, medicines, food, clean water and shelter.

POLAND: Earmarked 1 million zlotys ($431,770) for Polish NGOs involved in relief.

SAUDI ARABIA: Pledged $US10 million ($12.85 million) aid package - $US5 million ($6.4 million) of food, tents and medicine to be distributed via Saudi Red Crescent, $US5 million ($6.4 million) for international aid groups such as the Red Cross and UN High Commissioner for Refugees.

SINGAPORE: Contributing some $US1.2 million ($1.5 million) to global effort, military medical teams and supplies ready to fly to Indonesia.

SOUTH KOREA: Raises aid to $US2 million ($2.6 million), may send military cargo plane to move aid workers and supplies.

SPAIN: Sent aircraft to Sri Lanka with first aid, sanitary equipment and 19 volunteers, promised 1 million euro ($1.75 million).

SWEDEN: Sent 2 communications specialists to help UN relief efforts in Sri Lanka. Sending tents and communications equipment to the Maldives. Swedish Red Cross to contribute $US750,000 ($963,760) to IFRC appeal.

TAIWAN: Pledged additional $US5 million ($6.43 million) to South and Southeast Asian countries, after giving $US100,000 ($128,500) to Indonesia, $US50,000 ($64,250) each to Thailand, India and Sri Lanka. Sends more than 100 relief workers.

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES: Pledged $US2 million ($2.6 million) in aid and its Red Crescent society will donate 30 tonnes of food, blankets and clothing to earthquake victims to be transported over this week.

UNITED STATES: Pledged initial $US35 million ($45 million). Pentagon ordered 12 vessels to region, though no decision taken on their role.

INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE OF THE RED CROSS: Cargo plane flying from Kenya to Sri Lanka carrying 105 tonnes of supplies, provide aid to 150,000 people in north and east. Trying to raise more than 50 million Swiss francs ($56.5 million).

IMF: Intends to provide assistance, no specific pledges.

UNHCR: Initially distributing $US380,000 ($488,310) of non-food relief items, including 23,500 plastic sheets for shelter, 24,500 plastic mats, clothing, towels and 20,000 kitchen sets.

UNICEF: Delivered 50 water tanks to southern India, 45-tonne shipment of water purification tablets and water systems due to reach Sri Lanka on Thursday. WHO and UNICEF said they were providing four emergency kits to Indonesia to cover 40,000 people for three months, providing shelter, food and clothing.

UN WORLD FOOD PROGRAM: Sends 168 tonnes of commodities to Sri Lanka, plus more than 4,000 tonnes of rice, wheatflour, lentils and sugar, enough to provide 500,000 people with emergency rations for two weeks.

UN DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM: Provided $US100,000 ($128,500) each to Sri Lanka, India, Indonesia, the Maldives and Thailand to help assess damage and coordinate emergency needs.

UN POPULATION FUND: Earmarked up to $US1 million ($1.3 million) and extra staff to help health needs of pregnant and nursing women.

Reuters

"Les sinistrés et blessés ont besoin de bras, de médecins,de médicaments ; les politiques n'ont rien à faire dans cette galère sauf à demander à Bush des dollars pour les victimes au lieu de dépenser un fric monstre pour faire la guerre ( 4 millions de dollars d'aide des USA c'est un millième du prix d'un bombardier furtif B2 ! c'est lamentable ) "

C'est une honte. Ils feraient mieux de ne rien envoyer
http://fr.news.yahoo.com/041229/295/477hl.html

[Orangepeel]

56. I don't think it is a loan...

first of all, how are they going to get it back? Second, even though somebody called it "a line of credit" I don't think they meant it like a home equity line of credit -- based only on reading the same paragraph that keeps getting quoted. Once the speaker explains what he/she means by "line of credit" it sounds more like a "halliburton gift card".

[Tinoire]

60. Halliburton gift card lol! Love it but they themselves own up to "credit"

They are nothing if not disgusting! They'll back-pedal soon enough on this eager to wipe as much egg off their faces as possible and while ashamed, I am glad they're showing their true sense of "compassion" to the world. Unbelievable- you betcha.

You are kind to want to give them even that benefit of the doubt. I can't. With them, it's ALWAYS worse than they try to spin. Here's the rest of that quote... straight from the State Department.

((Thanks bpilgrim for digging this up!))

Briefer: Adam Ereli, Deputy Spokesman

(snip)


QUESTION: Adam, can you just -- the $20 million, exactly what is the status of that? Is that to be disbursed fairly soon or is it just --

MR. ERELI: Like the $11 million, it will be -- the 11 million additional, it will be disbursed to our missions and to local NGOs and other organizations as the need arises. The way to think of it is as a line of credit, frankly, that here is money available to be drawn upon to get equipment, to develop capacity, to provide supplies and relief to the people in need, as those needs are identified and as the institutions are identified that are capable of making use of the money. So think of it as a line of credit to be drawn down upon, as opposed to just a pot of money to be thrown out there.


QUESTION: Is it cash, credits and goods, or all three, or what?

MR. ERELI: I believe it's credit. It's basically money available to pay bills.

source...
http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/dpb/2004/40083.htm

[Orangepeel]

75. to me, it still reads like "store credit"

rather than a loan, but, who knows? they never explain anything straight up.

[neweurope]

77. I applaud you, Tinoire

very well done! - if this European may once again open her big mouth...

:yourock:

[Tinoire]

78. My pleasure. Eternal vigilance on the lies and liars of this admistration

and their cohorts is a priority.

So many lies. So little time.

We shall expose them because neither they, nor their lies, represent us. We must expose their shame for all to see to put an end to this charade.

In Europe :yourock: and your moral support means a LOT to us!

Thank you!

[NewYorkerfromMass]

79. It was a good post Tinoire

I regret very much posting the out of date info. ...yet it has made for a good thread!
Thanks for your input!

[Tinoire]

82. My pleasure NewYorkerfromMass

Never have any regrets. The discussion was good. What I am angry about is the spin they are currently putting on this and down-playing how the rest of the world is shaming us.

I am about to start a thread based on this new spin

US forms quake relief coalition :wow:


Caption: Together the world will cope with their loss
President George W Bush


http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4133005.stm

[Ezlivin]

57. But Bush is sending BILLIONS OF PRAYERS!

You don't need money if you've got Jesus on your side.

Once the RW gets cranked up, I'm sure we'll see telethons and other great fund-raising methods used to get needed help to those heathens living in faraway lands. (Naturally, Pat Robertson/Jerry Falwell et al will have to deduct their 95% management fees from all contributions.)

If Bush wills it, we could see a TRILLION prayers. That sort of God-power could completely renovate those countries in only a few hours. All they have to do is to trust Jesus as Lord and Savior and promise to teach Intelligent Design and abstinence.

[Tinoire]

65. Stop. You're cracking me up during this devastating time! n/t

[RuleofLaw]

59. It's pathetic

Denmark, a country of 5 million people, immediately contributed 10 million Kroner ($1.5 Million) and have promised aid of up to 85 million Kroner ($16 million)

http://www.um.dk/da/servicemenu/Nyheder/ForsideNyheder/FlodboelgenIAsienDanskHumanitaerBistand.htm

Another interesting problem is described by the Danish State Department: Apparently the many landmines left over from the many wars in the area are now spread all over the place and may not be located.

"Flodbølgen har måske også skabt nye problemer for den humanitære minerydning, som Danish Demining Group har været i gang med mere end et år. Det frygtes, at minerne nu ikke længere ligger i de felter, de er lagt ud i, men ligger hulter til bulter. Det vil gøre det endnu sværere at få fjernet minerne, så folk kan færdes sikkert. – Det er aftalt med Danish Demining Group, at de får kigget på problemet og får tilført flere ressourcer, hvis der er behov for det."

[donheld]

73. Shame on you!

[mother earth]

74. Not generous when we are throwing money at a war & inauguration

that will cost us $40 mill. The real tragedy is that when we have this enormous devastation, we are continuing our own devastation in Iraq & the US, throwing our money away to kill so the corporations can grow wealthy, all the while our dollar is descending....and then you think of all the good that money could do in the wake of this horrible catastrophe. IT BOGGLES THE MIND.

[kerry-is-my-prez]

76. Japan has given 30 million.

The U.S. has a lot more money than these nations also.

[HEyHEY]

80. Scratch that - Canada bump aid to 40 million today!

[Geek_Girl]

88. As the United State Slips into the Dark Ages

and becomes more irrelevant in the global scheme of things.
I have the feeling that Europe is stepping up to the plate to become a strong progressive country that we once were.

I have to say I'm very proud of Europe you have become a beacon of hope to myself and the world.