U.S. donations to Japan lag behind those after Katrina, Haiti

[Liberal_in_LA]

Travers O’Leary, a freshman at St. Mary’s College in Southern Maryland, gave $10 last year to help victims of Haiti’s earthquake. But nearly a week after an earthquake and tsunami wiped out parts of northeastern Japan and badly damaged nuclear reactors, O’Leary had not donated to those relief efforts.

He feels bad saying it, he said, but he doesn’t think Japan needs the money.

“I look at Japan as such a developed country,” O’Leary, 19, said Thursday afternoon as he and a friend sipped drinks on a bench at Rockville Town Square. “In my mind, I feel like they have the funds to handle the disaster, where Haiti didn’t.”

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/donations-to-japan-lag-behind-those-for-katrina-haiti-/2011/03/17/ABWzt2n_story.html

[NOLALady]

1. Interesting.

We are also a wealthy developed country. We had funds to handle the Katrina disaster.

[peace13]

2. IMO most Americans are fearing for their own survival at this moment.

Our government is in shatters and has turned on the 'worker'. Many people have homeless family members and are struggling to keep their own people off the streets. A very sorry situation to be sure.

[Liberal_in_LA]

3. good point

[jwirr]

7. And many of us have less money than we had then. Things have

gotten worse.

[AsahinaKimi]

4. I am sure where the US lags, the rest of the world will

donate in a large way. I intend to donate more, for personal reasons. My friends will as well.

[hlthe2b]

5. Lags behind Haiti "promises" or actual donations received?

Sadly, there is a tremendous difference.

[BklynThirtyThree]

6. someone made an interesting point

Haiti's proximity to the US played a large
role in how much was donated. Japan also
has fewer relief agencies on the ground. I
expect this to change in the coming weeks.