Biggest earthquake in 40 years hits Southeast Asia - Part 2

[Spiffor]

Originally posted by chegitz guevara
Is the world getting in a donation pissing contest?

Looks like it, but I think it's good news

[Az]

Is the world getting in a donation pissing contest?

I sure hope so.

[chequita guevara]

Me too. It's a much better way to measure our cheneys. Here's to potlache culture!

[Az]

That, and the space program.

[The Emperor Fabulous]

Australia has announced a 1 BILLION DOLLAR tsunami aid package...


...which will go solely to Indonesia.

[Sprayber]

Anyone know how much countries such as Saudi Arabia and Kuwait are giving?

[Guynemer]

I just heard on the radio that no industrialized country gives as much as 1% of their GDP as foreign aid. (Norway is tops with like 0.85%; USA bringing up the rear with 0.17%)


Thus, I'd like to challenge all of us to outstrip our governments, and donate 1% of our yearly salary to relief organizations. UNICEF, Red Cross/Red Crescent, whatever. I made mine to Doctors Without Borders.

[Kontiki]

Apparently our federal government will match all private donations. Don't know if this includes corporate donations or not.

[Japher]

I'm too lazy to read all the threads about this topic. however, is Lancer alright? Was he back yet?

[Chemical Ollie]

The Philippines was not hit at all, so if that's where he was, he should be OK.

[Japher]

Thanks

[The Emperor Fabulous]

Originally posted by Sprayber
Anyone know how much countries such as Saudi Arabia and Kuwait are giving?

I saw on MSNBC today that the Saudis gave $30 Million, the Kuwatis $10 Million, and Qatar $25 Million. This was followed by a story that Muslims are asking why aren't they donating more (apparently they're afraid funds will land in the hands of "infidels")

Even worse, now fundies are blaming the earthquake that triggered the tsunami on "underground nuclear testing by the US, Israel, and India". Some people are just sick.

[Chemical Ollie]

Originally posted by Guynemer
I just heard on the radio that no industrialized country gives as much as 1% of their GDP as foreign aid. (Norway is tops with like 0.85%; USA bringing up the rear with 0.17%) ---

Sweden had the target of 1% back in the 80's. I don't know what we have today, but we probably can't afford it any longer. In related news, we are giving 200 000 doses of cholera vaccine to Sri Lanka.

I think Swedish government aid is going mostly to Sri Lanka. It seems Americans and Ozzies are giving most to Indonesia. Sri Lanka and Indonesia are the countries in most urgent need anyway. Countries like Thailand and India are rich enough to help themselves.

But Swedes who were in Thailand are very thankful for the support from private citizens close to the disaster area, who opened their private homes to provide shelter, food, clothing and transportation to help the Swedish tourists who were stranded in just shorts and sandals, without money or credit cards and looking for lost family members. There are now some fundraising campaigns to give something back to all these Thai people, who proved to be friends when you really needed them.

[Chemical Ollie]

Originally posted by The Emperor Fabulous
---
Even worse, now fundies are blaming the earthquake that triggered the tsunami on "underground nuclear testing by the US, Israel, and India". Some people are just sick.

Yes, everybody know it was Iran and Pakistan!

[Dis]

Originally posted by Chemical Ollie


Yes, everybody know it was Iran and Pakistan!

and North Korea.