International Assistance?

[Anonymous]

Have you ever noticed that America is always expected to help out other countries when tradegy strikes?

So, where are those other countries now? Has anyone heard of any assistance coming from anywhere?

[Robert Dewey]

I was thinking the same thing... Other countries are quick to put there hand out and grab up all the relief they can, but none of them seem to place an offer to return the favor.

Perhaps if they have though, we just don't hear about it.

[Tim Vasquez]

This idea was done on the "joke caller"-styled Phil Hendrie show after the Indonesia tsunami and California mudslides. We are the rich kid (http://www.finfacts.com/biz10/globalworldincomepercapita.htm) on the block and do an amazing job taking care of our own. Maybe Norway and Switzerland could send aid though.

Tim

[M Conder]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20050829/pl_af...hervenezuelaoil (http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20050829/pl_afp/usweathervenezuelaoil)

I don't know if the offer is genuine, or just a political ploy by Chavez, but I suspect the latter.

[B Ozanne]

Edit: removed my comments, I don't care about this thread.

[Bill Tabor]

This should be an interesting thread. For all the good America has done over all the years past, I get the impression most countries hope we just get destroyed by a giant meteorite or something. I'll be surprised if we get much in the way of true sympathy except perhaps for the British and Australians.

[Jeff Snyder]

Let's PLEASE not turn this in to a political thread. If you feel that your own comments are more political than anything else, PLEASE refrain from posting. Start a blog or something if you really need to get it off your chest!

Instead of arguing your opinion regarding this topic, how about discussing what other countries have "pledged"...

[Jay Cazel]

ABC Radio said something that Japan would loan the USA some of there oil reserves, but really what could any other counrty do to help us? Besides sending money to the Red Cross or something like that.

[Mikey Gribble]

I don't know what the deal is with Chavez's statements. If he is serious, it is a 180 from his normal stance.
I am not surprised that no foreign countries are jumping to the aid of the United States. Like Tim mentioned, we are considered the rich kid and we can help ourselves. IMO the gesture of at least offering would be a welcome change. Everybody around the world expects the U.S. to bail them out when they get in trouble and we almost always step up and do it. It has become so normal for us to help with problems around the world that we are now expected to help and are efforts are totally taken for granted. I remember hearing several countries and officials at the UN complaining about how the US was spending the 15 billion dollars we contributed to fighting aids in Africa. That is more than the rest of the world combined gave to fight aids in Africa, yet all some people can do is complain about how we are spending the money. The same thing happened with tsunami relief. Two days after it happend there were outcries all around the world because the US apparently wasn't doing enough.
Despite the fact that the US provides a security umbrella for dozens of countries around the world and we donate massive amounts of economic aid, we are still the country everyone loves to hate. I just don't get it.

[Anastasia]

For what it's worth - I am a Canadian and I have been glued to CNN (which I usually can't stand) and of course the Stormtrack forum, since Sunday evening. I am floored by the coverage I have seen and I have shed more than a few tears over the past few days. I have only experienced the briefest touch of a hurricane personally in Miami during Dennis and I can't begin to imagine what it would be like to experience something on the scale of Katrina.
I plan on donating to the Red Cross. I am educating my friends and coworkers on the devastation of the hurricane. I am a proud Canadian with mixed feelings about the United States, but I am a human being who recognizes that human suffering has no political boundaries.

Take good care,
Anastasia

[Anonymous]

Who knows why the rest of the world dislikes the US....who cares! The US can manage its own disasters without needing any foreign help.

If a country was to state they are willing to help, they would expect ten times as much as they offered from the US in return. So what is the point....

[Joe Nield]

This is the reality of our position in the world as the most powerful and wealthy nation on the planet. We have the resources to handle this.

These nations where people are living on the equivalent of 10 cents a day can't very well gather up some goats and send them over. Let's keep our heads here. :roll:

[Andrew Geil]

Who knows why the rest of the world dislikes the US....who cares! The US can manage its own disasters without needing any foreign help.

If a country was to state they are willing to help, they would expect ten times as much as they offered from the US in return. So what is the point....

Because sometimes helping people is just the right thing to do.

[Kevin Askew]

Sorry im very opinionated on the subject with alot of military vets in my family. NOBODY is even offering. We have helped liberate parts of the planet. NOBODY is offering disaster relief? That REALLY irratates me. We lost thousands & thousands to help other countries yet NOBODY offeres disaster relief. The hell with them then, raid the radical islamic countries turn their deserts to glass & keep their freakin oil for us. sounds harsh but hey, do they actually care about us???? Times like this I say no. Just an opinion from a person who has lost loved ones HELPING others.

[John Massura]

Just because there hasn't been mass outpourings of help in the news media yet, doesn't mean there hasn't been help offered. Perhaps they are waiting for the big picture to become known before they can offer their specialties. Perhaps they are doing small things behind the scenes (medical personnel, utility workers, etc.). Kuwait has helped out in the past during hurricanes, Australia has sent firefighters several times to the West, and Canada has helped during such instances as 9/11 and the New England blackout of a few years ago, as well as during blizzards.

So, while there may not be a huge offering like for tsunami relief (which was an entirely different animal), I feel confident that our fellow neighbors will be helping as much as they can.

[Rob_Davis]

The most significant aid most countries could offer us is to simply quit sucking us dry.

I'd quickly and happily settle for that.

[Jeff Lawson]

NOBODY is even offering. We have helped liberate parts of the planet. NOBODY is offering disaster relief? That REALLY irritates me. We lost thousands & thousands to help other countries yet NOBODY offeres disaster relief. The hell with them then, raid the radical islamic countries turn their deserts to glass & keep their freakin oil for us. sounds harsh but hey, do they actually care about us???? Times like this I say no. Just an opinion from a person who has lost loved ones HELPING others.

Get a grip, Kevin. The reason the United States often steps in to assist others when disaster strikes is because we have the financial and logistical resources to do so. What sort of disaster relief to expect the rest of the world to offer at this point?

[Kevin Askew]

LOL Me get a grip.???? Yes im actually laughing on that!!Is France soooo poor, right? how about the rediculously rich arab countries? Cmon do some history lessons. Im not talking Somialia here, These countries that we all know & love DONT CARE like the us cares for others bottom line. When YOUR gas is 4 bucks a pop, then see how the wealthy nations sit back & watch the US carnage & light cigars with 100 bills. PLENTY of people that could AT LEAST muster some boots on the ground. Deep down ya know its truth.....

[Chris Sokol]

Jeff made the request, and it has been ignored...so, once again I will make it. Please do not turn this into a flame casting, foreign leader bashing, political thread. If the thread continues to go in this direction, it will be locked.

Thank You.

[Aaron Kennedy]

I'd like to think we don't need outside help. We're supposed to be the best country in the world in terms of technology an support.

We help others because we're the big kid on the block... We have plenty plenty of people to help with recovery.. we don't need others coming in.

BTW: In every other country, gas costs more than in the US.

We're bringing this sort of stuff on ourselves with 10mpg guzzlin SUVS etc.

Aaron

[Jeff Lawson]

Kevin, I have a B.A. degree in Political Science and International Relations. I know my way around this subject. I don't need your history lessons.

The fact of that matter is, you're using this tragedy to make a political point. Nothing more. Per moderator requests, I'll leave it at that.

[Kevin Askew]

Appologise for flame. Im not using thread for anything. Just fact thats all. Jeff, true you may not need my history lessons but its the way it is, thats not taught in books. Anyway, Some assistance offers from other countries would be appreciated. I wish I had some more vacation days to help in recovery/rescue, but in short term im giving blood this afternoon & wife & I have been cleanin our closets to send some stuff to those people. We might not have much but we are giving what we can. That is my point, nothing more. Internationally, govt's can give something..... Now all we can do is pray the ones trapped by some sort of miracle can be found.

[John Farley]

CNN reports that Germany has made an offer of assistance.

[Dan Cook]

http://service.spiegel.de/cache/internatio...,372425,00.html (http://service.spiegel.de/cache/international/0,1518,372425,00.html)

Words fail me. :evil:

[Amos Magliocco]

On the radio this morning I heard some talk show hosts trying to whip up hostility against foreign countries for not offering aid, and against "Hollywood liberals" for not already organizing relief efforts like they have in other crises.

I'm not going to debate their points. Instead I hope everybody can turn off the radio for a moment and consider if what we really need right now is to find more reasons to be angry, or to blame some group, or to turn against the "other half" of the country and try and gain some personal satisfaction by attacking other Americans right when we need to pull together the most. Hate isn't going to solve these problems.

If you hear a talking head or radio host--no matter what his or her political orientation--trying to make you angry at other human beings right now, don't you have to question if that person's agenda is really the best thing for the country? Is this the way we're going to get through some of the most difficult decisions in our nation's history, like what to do with a million refugees? This is the time to tell the sensationalist hate-mongers to shut up and find ways to help, not divide us against each other.

[Mikey Gribble]

I read about those comments that were made by that German minister(that Dan posted a link to) the other day. It's just one more example of how someone always manages to blame the United States for everything, regardless of how ridiculous it sounds to reasonable minds. IMO global warming doesn't have anything to do with hurricane Katrina and the people that are saying we brought Katrina upon ourselves are just looking for an opportunity to criticize the U.S. If global warming was responsible for Katrina, where were the effects of it during tornado season? We could have used the extra water vapor that would have resulted from higher temperatures.

Edit: Amos is right about how we need to focus on helping others right now. I will donate what I can (which isn't much) just like I would expect others to help me if I experienced a similiar tragedy. I think are fellow Americans will step up to the task. After seeing the donations and the outpouring of support after 9/11, I believe we are capable of anything.

[Bobbi Andrzejek]

What I would honestly like to see, as a tax-paying American, is much of our generous funding of other countries stopped and the money used for our own people.

I am so tired of seeing my beloved country leap to the aid of every little country on earth and in some cases hearing those countries demand our help.

If we focus on ourselves for awhile, think of how many of our own problmes we could solve, how much money and resources could be put to use for our own people.

I know it's not practical, but I sure would like to see done.

[Tim Vasquez]

The Stormtrack staff has determined this has become a political thread.

You may continue posting but only to report news developments from news bureaus pertaining to the flow of international aid. The moderators will delete on sight any opinions or editorializing. This board is about the Katrina disaster, not about foreign policy.

Stormtrack staff

[Kurt Wayne]

Saudi Arabia and Russia offer to help. (http://www.africasia.com/services/news/newsitem.php?area=mideast&item=050831200201.fk8dzrr6.php) So does Canada (http://www.cfra.com/headlines/index.asp?cat=2&nid=31438).

[Anonymous]

If you live abroad and would sincerely like to help us, please make a donation to the Red Cross and request that the $$$ go to the Hurricane relief effort.

Many thanks!

[Kevin Askew]

Gave blood & some clothing & feels great! Still teared up on latest fatality figures. Just horrible. At least some countries have offered a hand. That feels good. Its a sinking feeling knowing all the trapped cannot get out or have died from heat stroke in attics etc.... Very disturbing. Hang on for the rest of the year, the gulf is awful warm still. God help the coastal residents.

[Jeff Snyder]

From WWLTV.com (and AP):

WASHINGTON -- In a dramatic turnabout, the United States is now on the receiving end of help from around the world as some two dozen countries offer post-hurricane assistance.

http://www.wwltv.com/local/stories/wwl0901...p.16cbe69d.html (http://www.wwltv.com/local/stories/wwl090105usgetshelp.16cbe69d.html)

[Anonymous]

Well, I hope that all of you, who complained about world turning its back on USA in the hour of need, will see you mistake and change your opinions. The world in fact does not like you very much, but that does not mean, that it will not help...

[Rob_Davis]

Just shows to go you that the wheels of the bureaucracy turn slow in other countries, just like they do here. So next time somebody complains about the U.S. not sending aid somewhere fast enough, just remember that.

[Geoff Boyle]

OTTAWA – The Canadian Forces (CF) are ready to “roll, sail or fly” aid to Katrina-ravaged New Orleans should the United States request our assistance, the Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS), General Rick Hillier said at a news conference in Ottawa Thursday afternoon. “Our thoughts and our prayers are with you. ,” he said.

Gen Hillier said although the United States military is large and fully capable of responding to a disaster such as the one left behind by Katrina, Canada will deploy Canadian Forces personnel and equipment if asked.

“Whether it’s a niche capability or augmenting an existing capability, (our American allies) have only to ask and we in the CF would have it rolling, or sailing or flying to stand side by side with them to bring relief or respite to those who need it, for however long it would take within our capability to sustain it. That’s what being friends and allies is all about.”

Over the past 24 hours, the CDS has briefed several American and Canadian authorities including, Prime Minister Paul Martin, the Minister of National Defence, Bill Graham, the American Ambassador to Canada, as well as the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Dick Myers, and the Commander of U.S. Northern Command, Admiral Tim Keating, about the type of support the CF has standing by.

“The CF has a number of assets which could be deployed should the United States ask for our assistance“, said Gen Hillier. “Anything from several CC-130 Hercules to assist in transporting anything into and out of the area, helicopters to assist in the transport of anything inside the area, electrical generators that would be put into place to generate electricity, water purification systems of which we have many to produce potable, drinkable water, small boats to travel around the coastal area, a fleet diving unit that could work underwater, a communications package that could facilitate communication, and many other things.”

Gen Hillier made it clear that it would be a privilege for CF personnel to deliver relief in such a dire circumstance, as we have done in the past.

“As I tell our members all the time, very few people have the opportunity to do something in their lives to positively to affect the lives of people, and I say the same thing today – helping our friends and neighbours would be a privilege and today we are on standby to do that.”

I hope the US government seriously considers our offer. The Canadian DART (Disaster Assistance Response Team) has a significant amount of experience and expertise in these kinds of situations. DART has been previously deployed to disaster stricken regions like: Rwanda, Haiti, Honduras, Turkey, and Sri Lanka, and are able to service up to 600,000 people at a time.

[Jeff Snyder]

Russia also offered some of their troops and search-and-rescue teams a few days ago.

[Chris Sokol]

Russia also offered some of their troops and search-and-rescue teams a few days ago.

Hope that they remember to bring their own Vodka...I hear that they water down the alchohol in New Orleans.

(Sorry guys, but I had to try to interject a little humor here...we can't forget to smile every once in awhile)

[Geoff Boyle]

The Canadian Forces have been given the green light to commence relief operations in New Orleans. Expect the arrival of 3 naval vessels and a Canadian Coast Guard ship, complete with over a 1000 support personnel and rescue helicopters, within the month.

Canada is also giving up a large portion of our energy production to balance the market out. We will also be sending a portion of our fuel reserve down the US as well.