23,000 people killed

The scale of devastation wrought by sea surges that killed about 23,000 people on Asia's shores is starting to emerge



The death toll is still climbing, thousands are missing and millions have been made homeless by the world's worst earthquake in 40 years. At least 10 countries have been affected, with Sri Lanka, Indonesia, India and Thailand among the worst hit.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/4128951.stm

 

Deaths all the way in Kenya and Somalia too, those were some fucking huge waves. Dozens of islands in the Maldives can't even be contacted.

 

25,000 now... Alot of my backpacking mates were in Koh-Phi-Phi right now, and in other areas of Thailand... All I can do is hope that they are safe.

 

"[size=-1]The United States dispatched disaster teams and prepared a $15 million aid package to the Asian countries, and the 25-nation European Union (news - web sites) promised to quickly deliver $4 million. Japan, China and Russia were sending teams of experts."[/size]
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now that's one of the things that makes me love this country. though i'm sure someone will have something awful to say about it, i think it's pretty impressive for our country to send more than three times as much as the whole 25 nation EU.
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It's insane, I've just been to Thailand and southern India (Chennai, specifically) a couple months ago while on study abroad, and had such great experiences there in these lively places that are now devastated. My heart goes out to the peoples of southern Asia and anywhere else affected.

 

It's so hypocritical that 9/11 received so much attention, but threads on Kerry, Bush and elections in the Ukraine are top news.


55, 000 dead is the latest number.

 

An official at the U.N. said the United States was being "Stingy" today. Sec.State Powell replied the U.S. has always given generously in the past for natural disasters and the $15 million is the beginning of Billions of aid coming in the next several years.

I sure the U.S. would like to avoid the kind of graft discovered in the U.N.'s "Food for Oil" program.

The projection of the death toll has topped 50,000 and could exceed 60,000.

 

well, the stingy comment must have worked, bc the usa also opened up a 35 million dollar 'line of credit' today in addition to the funds that were previously donated.

i hope that the people who need help the most get it in a timely fashion.

 

it's sad when politics get involved though... i mean, the US has always been there to help out other countries, and i'm all for it (because we have the funds to do so), but when people say "oh you have to give more more more", i think that's being a little greedy. because besides individual countries giving aid, you have so many provate organizations like the red cross and the salvation army giving funds too. to say "stingy" is being a little petty i think.

 

I doubt the stingy comment did anything but rub not just the Bush Administration the wrong way but also a few Senators and Congressman already irratated with the U.N.
Sec.State Powell statement was released just after the U.N.'s comment. In it he mentioned addtional donations by the U.S. will be forthcoming.
I'm sure it takes time to make arrangements for adequate funding, ei., budgets must be drawn up, etc. The initial $15 million was meant to the beginnings of additional funding later on. The additional funding is being met and will be in the future.

Also consider the accounting procedures must be in place to insure the funding is actually spend on relief and doesn't find it way into a crooked overseas politicians pocket.

 

Unfortunately politicals has already been injected into the relief effort.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4130599.stm

Update to the stingy comment...or clarification.

http://reuters.myway.com/article/20041228/2004-12-28T190549Z_01_N28706943_RTRIDST_0_NEWS-QUAKE-UN-DC.html

 

The Bush people are spending $40 MILLION dollars on the Inaugeration Party. WTF? I say he is called on to give it all to Southeast Asia and have Taco Bell cater the party. (I mean he's already pResident, does he need an OTHER party?)

 

We already pledged $35million in immediate aid, the next nearest to that is the UK with $29million

 

Bush's money for his inaugration was payed for by individuals and his party, why should he spend it on the disaster fund? We are no doubt gonna dwarf everyone else in aid and yet people will still complain about how we aren't doing enough.

 

You believe YOUR tax dollars are not paying for this party? Jeez.

WHY should the people in SE Asia get the money instead of it going for some big party for rich white people in Washington? I don't know, how about human charity, or just doing the right thing?

These people in SE Asia need every dime they can get NEED IT. Bush doesn't NEED an Inaugeral Party. Are 100,000 more people going to die if he doesn't have this party? I don't think so.

 

We are filthy rich, that's why our nation should contribute more aid. People still to this day freak out about 9/11 which only killed 3,000. This most recent disaster will likely kill 100,000.
I don't know...to me it's just logical.

 

green thumb, i just have to say i admire your protest with an upside down picture of the us, im not saying its the greatest thing, just clever. but green thumb, are you saying that we as a nation are filthy rich, or our government, or both?

 

oo i said the wrong thing, i mean like the citizens.

 

Obviously both. It isn't a matter of opinion, it is fact. As far as who should contribute, yes ordinary citizens probably should, especially those who are well off. But mostly I think our government should dish out a respectable amount of aid.

 

Bush can squander 128 billion on an illegal invasion ans homicidal policy in Iraq ( and he is poised to request another 80 bil any day now) but he can only cough up 35 million for potentiall the worst disaster in modern history? Pathetic, shameful, and keeping the the neo-conservative "America first" selectively humanitarian evengelical christian jihad hypocritical modus operande (not sure about that spellin').

Bush repeatedly misses every opportunity, no ingores every opportunity to redeem america in the eyes of the world. They treated 3,000 deaths like the world had turned on it's axis (I am not belittling them at all). Now the freaking world actually did get the rotation affected, and they have been slow to respond and when thet diud it was a pawdry sum, a pittance. I am thankful to be an American, but I am much less than proud.

Goddess bless every one of you who sends a penny or more to this relief effort. I am holding a keggar party (I don't even drink) on the 15th to raise funds for the relief. We cannot do enough for these humble and meek folks who have experienced devastation and trauma like we most likely will never experience and cannot fully fathom.

A biblical level human catastrophe by natural event. Heaven's gates are bulging.
Peace, blessings and bee pollen! -love, Viv-