Me watched cbc last night and canada is giving 4.5 million total, bill graham (the defense minister) spoke at a press meeting and gave the specifics,
3 million to something, 1 million to somthing then half a million to something else but it's all going in aide, plus world vision canada is recieving
many phonecalls from canadians who want to help donate...
There are other organizations besides the UN that is helping with food, clothing, ect... unicef.ca is also taking donations, I wish I could remember
the others but it seems canada is doing what they can.
The U.S i'm sure is doing what they can too.. Colin Powell and Ed Fox were at a press meeting yesterday (on cspan) didn't get the details but they
mentioned what they were going to do...
Here's what the US is doing to help...
The United States dispatched disaster specialists yesterday and prepared an initial
$15 million (euro11 million) aid package to the Asian
countries hit by a massive earthquake and tsunamis.
At the same time, US officials were seeking to contact hundreds of Americans who remain unaccounted for in the region.
Secretary of State Colin Powell said eight Americans died in the natural disaster, and that embassy officials were trying to locate other US citizens
who have not been heard from since Sunday's quake.
"We will do everything we can to immediately help," Powell said. "This is, indeed, an international tragedy."
US officials immediately sent $100,000 (euro73,925) each to India, Indonesia, the Maldives and Sri Lanka, and planned to donate $4 million (euro3
million) later yesterday to help Red Cross disaster efforts, Powell said.
The initial US aid package being crafted was expected to reach at least $15 million (euro11 million), said Ed Fox of the US Agency for International
Development. He called it an initial response until surveys are concluded and requests considered.
Also, Fox said, the United States was
drawing on shelter, food, water cans and other supplies that were kept in reserve in the Philippines and in
Dubai.
Powell cautioned that was a "quick infusion" and that
the administration was prepared to help with long-term rebuilding.
He also said while several hundred Americans were unaccounted for, it does not imply they were casualties. "It just means we haven't been able to
reach out and get contact with them," he told reporters at the State Department.
President George W
Bush, who is relaxing at his Texas ranch,
has sent letters of condolences to leaders of the seven countries that were
affected by the earthquake, White House spokesman Trent Duffy said Monday.
The president received a special briefing Monday morning about the situation in Asia, has seen pictures of the damage on television and has spoken on
the phone with Powell, Duffy said.
"This is a terrible tragedy," he said. "There is a significant loss of life. And our thoughts and prayers are with all those who are
suffering."
Asked whether the United States was concerned that terrorists might take advantage of the catastrophe, Duffy said.
"We wouldn't get into any classified types of information, but the
American people can rest assured that no matter what happens in the world,
that the government will be doing everything it can to protect the American people from terrorism."
Assessment groups were sent to Thailand and Indonesia, and 21 specialists will fan out through the region to help with sanitation, health and
relief supplies, Fox said. Most of the specialists are based in Thailand.
The US Navy said it sent three P-3 surveillance aircraft from Kadena air base on the Japanese island of Okinawa to Utaphao, Thailand, to conduct
survey operations, including a possible role in search-and-rescue efforts.
The Navy said it had no reports of damage to any of its ships or bases in the region.
In a
nutshell
ps: while america is larger then canada they can send more, canada is doing what they can too... nobody is stingy.. populations differ much, and that
can affect the jing... but know they are being "helped" when the money is put together to help, these countries will be much grateful..
on a side note: mfourl, how much have you donated to unicef or other organizations?? And if you can't donate, have you volunteered or canvassed
around your neighbourhood??
[edit on 28-12-2004 by TrueLies]
The US should leave them to rot. Stop financing them and send the aid money directly to the countries themselves. I'm all for
helping other nations out but sending the money to the UN who then sends it to the countries is not something I support!
