December 31, 2004

Tsunami Death Toll Tops 119,000

Pilots dropped food to Indonesian villagers stranded among bloating corpses Thursday, while police in a devastated provincial capital stripped looters of their clothing and forced them to sit on the street as a warning to others. The death toll topped 119,000, and officials warned that 5 million people lack clean water, shelter, food, sanitation and medicine.

I'm sure you're like me and are having a hard time dealing with this massive loss of life and the devastation of such a wide swathe of land in 11 countries.
Of course, whatever we're feeling is that much worse for the people there who've actually lost loved ones, homes and their livelihoods all from just 10 minutes' worth of Nature's wrath.
Also like me, I'd bet you've already graciously and prayerfully donated to one of the relief funds that have been set up to help the victims--because Americans aren't "stingy," we're generous givers-- but in case you haven't yet, here's a link to Network for Good to facilitate that.

I'm proud to report that U.S. firms have donated over $80 million in cash and supplies in tsunami aid!
(Color Me so NOT surprised that America leads the world in humanitarian aid, as always.)
The most valuable asset we're providing, however, is leadership:

While the corporate donations eclipse the initial $35 million promised by the U.S. government, American officials have seized the leadership role in relieving areas hit hardest by the earthquake-fueled tsunami that has killed more than 117,000 people in coastal regions of the Indian Ocean.

Secretary of State Colin L. Powell yesterday said the United Nations has been added to the core group of relief countries, which was created by President Bush and is made up of the United States, India, Australia and Japan.
    
The State Department also said U.S. officials will be involved in a conference next Friday of international donors being organized by European governments.
[...]
Among the biggest givers are the pharmaceutical giant Pfizer Inc., which is giving $10 million in cash and $25 million worth of drugs; Coca-Cola Co., donating $10 million; Exxon Mobil Corp., giving $5 million; and Citigroup Inc., contributing $3 million. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has pledged $3 million.
    
With wells and other fresh water contaminated by seawater, debris and sewage, drinkable water is perhaps the most badly needed item. The U.S. military continued airlifting rice and water purifiers into the hardest-hit areas yesterday.
   
 As aid also flowed from the world's governments — Spain has approved $68 million and Australia $27 million — meetings of Mr. Bush's core group focused on ensuring that the relief efforts are not duplicated.
[...]
The White House said Mr. Powell and Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, the president's younger brother, will leave Sunday on a trip to areas of Asia and Africa most affected by the tsunami to survey the damage.
[Jeb is a great choice!
Having just steered his state through its latest hurricanes, he knows how to deal with destructive acts of nature and he can communicate the region's needs to his brother, the President, in a meaningful way without a poisoned, partisan agenda.--Jen]
[...]
As vital supplies arrive at major airports in the disaster zone, Mr. Boucher said officials are focused on logistical problems of getting goods to people in coastal areas and in difficult to reach spots such as civil war-torn Aceh province in Indonesia.
   
 "We're going to have C-130s [military cargo planes] that can get into some places, including Aceh," he said, adding that India and Australia are sending helicopters into some areas.
    
Meanwhile, drug makers with offices or plants in the region have sent employees out with antibiotics, nutritional supplements, infant formula, baby food and other supplies, and employees of such companies as Coca-Cola, Pepsico and Marriott International hotels in the region are delivering bottled water, food and other supplies.
    
"I think it's a humanitarian instinct," said New York public-relations analyst Howard Rubenstein, who added that the "byproduct would certainly be good PR for the corporation, and more importantly for our country."

There's not a doubt in my mind that we would have given just as much money if that moron at the UN hadn't said that we were "stingy" and that we'd still lead the world in donations, too, so I hope you ignored his remarks and knew them for the mindless drivel they were.
Remember, we're giving via our government when President Bush commits us to $35 million in aid, but we're also giving as individuals to private charities and then we have our corporate giving, too, such as that cited above.
And we've done this for decades for every world crisis that has arisen.
Finally, there's the indirect "aid" we give to virtually every nation on the planet through trade and tourism...tsunami or no.
So worry not!
There's not much danger of the USA becoming Scrooge this Christmas or any Christmas which is one of the many things I love about this country!
And we're a praying nation, too, so I know you've joined me in offering up your prayers for the victims, also.
May God bless the Living and give them the strength to go on with their lives, comfort those who mourn, give eternal rest to the perished and guide the rescue and aid workers.