I'd just like to make a few points to put this string into some proper context.
Before beginning, however, I would just say that I'm sure everyone joins me in feeling a terrible sadness for all those whose lives have been lost and also in a feeling of utter powerlessness in the face of such a cataclysmic event. I wish there was something tangible I could do, other than donating a few pounds to a relief fund.
My heart also goes out to all those who have survived the event, or were safely away from it, but who know or are uncertain of the fate of friends and/or family who may have been involved.
I don't think so, but it may be that I have two friends in that area. I know they were headed to Vietnam before Christmas, but I fear their plans may have included going on to Thailand. I certainly hope that they did not do that.
This extract is from the BBC News online service today and I feel it puts Jan Egeland's point into the proper light. He was clearly making that statement in relation to aid fund donations in general, and most certainly not those funds donated by States specifically in response to this disaster.
The full text of the report can be found at:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/4130127.stm>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
World helps - but will it forget?'Stingy' rich
The second stage is for medium and long term help. The UN is holding a conference next month to discuss the next steps following this disaster. Already the UN's emergency co-coordinator Jan Egeland has said this might be the worst natural disaster ever. That implies the need for unusually large contributions.
He is also complaining that rich countries are not giving enough to the poor anyway.
"It is beyond me why we are so stingy. Really. Christmas time should remind many Western countries at least, how rich we have become," he said.
"There are several donors who are less generous than before in a growing world economy."
He suggested that governments "believe that they are really burdening the taxpayers too much, and the taxpayers want to give less. It's not true. They want to give more."
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I think what this debate on our forum is bringing up is that States are suddenly finding that the level of funds they pledge to disaster relief is being almost instantly bettered by private individual donations within their own countries. Here in the UK, the Government immediately pledged £15 million in relief. This was very soon dwarfed by the figure raised by public donations.
This taken from BBC News online today:
UK tsunami donations reach £45m The British public has donated £45m to help the victims of the Asian tsunami, say relief charities.
Up to £1m an hour has been donated and the government has raised its pledge from £15m to £50m, making it one of the largest international donors.
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I'm not a religious man, but I pray that the situation does not become worse due to disease among survivors lacking proper sanitation and medical aid.
