World Help - Hurricane Assistance

[chernabog]

I'd just like to take a moment and thank the following countries for their aid and assistance during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina:




It's nice to know who your friends are!
Thanks everyone!!!

 

[Ted and Holly]

Umm, you might want to try watching the news or read a newspaper.

 

[luvmydogs]

Hmmmm.... Canada, France, Germany and I believe the UK have offered assistance.

 

[wvjules]

Umm, you might want to try watching the news or read a newspaper.

Ditto that!

Heck, there is even some posted on the DIS if he/she doesn't want to be bothered with watching the news or reading a paper.

 

[wvrevy]

Umm, you might want to try watching the news or read a newspaper.

Yeah, but then we wouldn't get to feel so superior to everyone else. I mean, even the lousy French have offered assistance...Who wants to be associated with that kind of trash ?

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Have you missed something?


Several countries are doing things.

Even France is helping--and we know how much they don't like Americans.

 

[Ted and Holly]

I actually read the exact same thread on another, completely unrelated message board. Same whistling smile and everything.

Of course, I read that the next morning after Katrina went by. It does take time for countries to put together an aid plan and then announce it.

Ted

 

[oogieboogie]

I think you should read this article by the AP reporter:

By Danica Kirka
ASSOCIATED PRESS

4:19 p.m. August 31, 2005

VIENNA, Austria – From papal prayers to telegrams from China, the world reacted with an outpouring of compassion Wednesday for the victims of Hurricane Katrina in messages tinged by shock that a disaster of this scale could occur in the United States.

Islamic extremists rejoiced in America's misfortune, giving the storm a military rank and declaring in Internet chatter that "Private" Katrina had joined the global jihad, or holy war. With "God's help," they declared, oil prices would hit $100 a barrel this year.

Venezuela's government, which has had tense relations with Washington, offered humanitarian aid and fuel. Venezuela's Citgo Petroleum Corp. pledged a $1 million donation for hurricane aid.

Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz also called President Bush to offer assistance. The minister of petroleum and mineral resources said Monday that Saudi Arabia is ready to immediately increase its crude oil production to replace any market shortages and help stabilize world crude prices.

The storm was seen as an equalizer – proof that any country, weak or strong, can be victimized by a natural disaster. Images of flood-ravaged New Orleans earned particular sympathy in central Europe, where dozens died in raging floodwaters only days ago.

"Nature proved that no matter how rich and economically developed you are, you can't fight it," says Danut Afasei, a local official in Romania's Harghita county, where flooding killed 13 people last week.

Throughout Europe, concerned citizens lamented the loss of life and the damage caused to New Orleans, often described as one of North America's most "European" cities.

French President Jacques Chirac and German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder sent messages of sympathy to President Bush. Chirac, who has famously quarreled with Bush over the Iraq war, addressed this letter, "Dear George."

Pope Benedict XVI said he was praying for victims of the "tragic" hurricane while China's President Hu Jintao expressed his "belief that that the American people will definitely overcome the natural disaster and rebuild their beautiful homeland."

Britain's Queen Elizabeth II also sent a message to Bush saying she was "deeply shocked and saddened" at the devastation caused by the hurricane and expressing her condolences, "especially to the families of those who have lost their lives, to the injured and to all who have been affected by this terrible disaster."

The U.S. Embassy in Bern, Switzerland – a capital at the foot of the Alps hit by flooding last week – said calls were rushing in from Swiss individuals and institutions looking for a way to donate to relief efforts.

"We are getting calls from the Swiss public looking to express their condolences, (and) people are also asking for an account number where they can make donations," said spokesman Daniel Wendell.

The Internet-edition Vienna daily Der Standard had recorded 820 postings commenting on a front-page story on the hurricane. In one of the postings, signature "Emerald" asked where money could be donated to the victims, but the question sparked a debate about whether a rich country like the United States needed such aid.

In response, one posting, from signature "far out," argued that hurricane victims who are poor still needed support.

A spokeswoman for the Canadian Red Cross said lists of volunteers experienced in large-scale disasters were being assembled.

Amid the sympathy, however, there was criticism.

As U.S. military engineers struggled to shore up breached levees, experts in the Netherlands expressed surprise that New Orleans' flood systems failed to restrain the raging waters.

With half of the country's population of 16 million living below sea level, the Netherlands prepared for a "perfect storm" soon after floods in 1953 killed 2,000 people. The nation installed massive hydraulic sea walls.

"I don't want to sound overly critical, but it's hard to imagine that (the damage caused by Katrina) could happen in a Western country," said Ted Sluijter, spokesman for the park where the sea walls are exhibited. "It seemed like plans for protection and evacuation weren't really in place, and once it happened, the coordination was on loose hinges."

The sympathy was muted in some corners by a sense that the United States reaped what it sowed, since the country is seen as the main contributor to global warming.

Joern Ehlers, a spokesman for World Wildlife Fund Germany, said global warming had increased the intensity of hurricanes.

"The Americans have a big impact on the greenhouse effect," Ehlers said.

But Harlan L. Watson, the U.S. envoy for negotiations on climate change, denied any link between global warming and the strength of storms.

"Our scientists are telling us right now that there's not a linkage," he said in Geneva. "I'll rely on their information."



Associated Press Writers Susanna Loof in Vienna, Bradley S. Klapper in Geneva, Alexander S. Higgins in Geneva, Anca Teodorescu in Bucharest, Romania and Toby Sterling in Amsterdam, Netherlands, contributed to this story.

 

[crcormier]

Yeah, Scott Mclellan just held a press conference and talked about all the countries that have offered their assistance. Not the first thread I've seen of people complaining without merit.

 

[cheyita]

Umm, you might want to try watching the news or read a newspaper.

Or how about just reading the rest of the threads on the CB? There are a few already addressing the help we are starting to receive from other nations.

 

[ducklite]

WOW. I just can't believe how some people spew before knowing what they are spewing about.

Anne

 

[Amy]

Maybe somebody can help me - I was watching the noon news, our ABC-affiliate, and they cut to their London ABC affiliate which was running a story about all the countries that have offered condolences and/or aid. I could swear I heard that Russia had 2 planes loaded with relief supplies ready to go but the US refused their help. I was trying to find this reported somewhere so I could check to confirm whether I heard correctly. Do any of you know if this is true? I'm hoping I heard it wrong; if this IS true, I'd really like to know WHY they would refuse help. Even the greatest nation in the world needs help now and then!

 

[oogieboogie]

Because probably once the airplanes from Russia get here, there's no way to bring the supplies in to the affected areas. They can't land in NO or in any areas close by and then all those supplies need to be transported somehow.

Because right now, the people and agencies involved still need to assess and figure out what they need to do and what the needs are before they just accept supplies.

It has nothing to do with being a superpower nation and arrogance.

 

[ducklite]

The NOLA airport IS OPEN for HUMANITARIAN flights, only during daylight hours.

Anne

 

[chernabog]

Wow, after Dan Murphys' thread, you people are so easy rankle! And just so you all know, that post was written at about 7:30 this morning but I didn't get a chance to send until after I came back from lunch!

Now I remember why I haven't been visiting these forums for the last 3 months!
Does everyone have an attitude on here now?

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Right ducklite---but right now they said all they needed was cash --- which I still find weird myself...first time ever I have seen that. But that doesn't mean it hasn't happened before.

 

[magicgirl]

It is people like the OP who unfortunately give Americans a bad name across the world. Here in the UK we do care and we do donate money on a private and personal level and our Govtdoes onate aid. Luckily we know that not all Americans feel the same. Our tourists also help your economy and kept coming on holiday to your lovely country after 9/11 and the hurricans in Florida.

 

[luvmydogs]

Wow, after Dan Murphys' thread, you people are so easy rankle! And just so you all know, that post was written at about 7:30 this morning but I didn't get a chance to send until after I came back from lunch!

Now I remember why I haven't been visiting these forums for the last 3

months!

Does everyone have an attitude on here now?

Honestly, and I'm not saying this with sarcasm; but according to you there were several hours between when your post was written and actually sent. You probably should've checked the news or internet to see if your statements were still accurate or relevant before you hit 'submit.'

 

[wvjules]

Correct me if I"m wrong, which I'm sure someone will....but wasn't there 'world' help prior to 7:30am this morning?

I don't believe anyone gave you an attitude, just check your facts before you post.

 

[Ted and Holly]

Right ducklite---but right now they said all they needed was cash --- which I still find weird myself...first time ever I have seen that. But that doesn't mean it hasn't happened before.

I do remember the Red Cross saying that they needed money more than they needed water and other materials. I am sure I heard it last summer here in Central Florida, and I want to say they were saying it after 9/11.

But in this case, I don't see how a few bottles of water and some food would be a bad thing to give. I mean, if you give food and water, you know that the donation is not going to be split up and used for "administration costs".

Ted