Martin pledges $1 million for tsunami victims

[Spazito]

Last Updated Mon, 27 Dec 2004 11:26:37 EST
OTTAWA - Prime Minister Paul Martin has expressed condolences to the victims of Sunday's tsunami on behalf of all Canadians and has promised to help.

"The world is shocked by the reports of wide-spread devastation which has claimed thousands of lives, and resulted in the injury and displacement of thousands of people in south and southeast Asia," he said in a statement.

Martin said Canada would release $1 million in aid immediately, and wouldn't rule out more aid later.

The money will be channelled through the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

more

http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2004/12/26/maretinquake041226.html

[JPace]

1. Hmmmm....Canada $1000,000. America $100,000.

shame on us.

[BOHICA06]

2. $1 million with an "m"?

Who sent him out there to make such an embarrassing offer?

[Spazito]

4. It's 10 times more than bush, with the probability of more...

I don't think it is embarassing at all.

[underthedome]

19. U.S. preparing $15 million in aid. *nt

*

[Renew Deal]

20. That's correct. Look at post 15

[Renew Deal]

18. huh?

That's a lot of money. How much have you given?

[BOHICA06]

24. 32x more per capita ...

than the government of Canada. And you?

[Make7]

26. Wouldn't that work out to be less than a dollar? (n/t)

[BOHICA06]

27. You're right! Make that 320X n/t

[Make7]

29. Ah! That makes more sense. (n/t)

[Catchawave]

3. I hope BushCo is feeling the pressure now....

...I'm embarrassed for the lack of compassion from our country. Of course, I'm comparing the 100k Bush is sending to his Coronation budget.

[RC]

7. That $40,000,000 is already ear marked.

Can't touch that. No, Ma'am! Have you forgot who is being coroneted?
Those people over there are foreigners and besides they are too far away to sneak in and pick fruit or clean our homes.

[illflem]

5. Tons of bucks

probably won't be nessary for this disaster. Most damage only extends 200 yards from the coast. The resorts have insurance, the rest were mainly low value shacks.

[Tiberius]

10. You're partly right

but the water systems are now totally messed up and contaminated. It'll take money to prevent a worse catastrophy of disease.

[jobycom]

14. Body cleanup, water decontamination, lost wages

Desalination plants if there were any.

Most coastal regions depend on those 200 yards for their livelihood. Casinos, resorts, boats, equipment, docks, warehouses for shipping, bulkheads, seawalls... that's a lot of lost wages in a region without a lot of wages. Not to mention a lost food supply for millions. Coasts are also the main link in the transportation of goods and foods, and with the damage to the docks and boats, it will take more than the price of a below-average house in Austin, Texas, to clean up this mess.

You don't just grab a shovel to bury 23,000 bodies. Or however many they find.

A ton of bucks will be barely a start.

[genieroze]

6. We are only giving 100 grand?

Wow there's that compassionate CONservatism for ya.

[Rose Siding]

8. I can't find an article that says 100 thou...

The EU is sending 4 million, but no dollar amt for the US here-

"The 25-member European Union promised $4 million in assistance. Japanese, Chinese and Russian experts are on the way to the region to help."

http://www.thebostonchannel.com/news/4025469/detail.html

[alvis]

9. Found an article on CNN

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The United States has dispatched disaster teams to the Asian countries hit hard by a massive earthquake and devastating tsunamis and is preparing economic relief packages as well, U.S. officials said Monday.

The economic aid includes $100,000 each that was immediately sent to India, Indonesia, the Maldives and Sri Lanka, and U.S. officials were discussing an additional $4 million contribution to help Red Cross disaster efforts.



http://www.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/asiapcf/12/27/quake.us.ap/index.html

[Spazito]

11. They are discussing the 4 million? What's to discuss?

Are they discussing whether to give the 4 million of how best to give the 4 million?

It is good to know that it is 100 thousand for each of 4 countries rather than 100 thousand in total.

[Fleshdancer]

17. I can think of one discussion that will probably take place....

whether to give the 4 million to a faith based charity or not. you just know someone in the administration is bringing it up.

[ananda]

12. Help.

I need some help.

What do you say to people who say that they don't trust the Red Cross?

Is the Red Cross a good, trustworthy organization? Are there others that are better?

Sue

[BOHICA06]

13. A lot of the Red Cross mistrust goes back to WWII

... for a long story.... I'm standing in the grocery line when I see a guy with a YingYang - 29th Inf Division cap on and I mention it to him. Seems the guy made the Normandy landing and took a bullet on the beach and had to be evacuated back to England. He looses all his possessions except his helmet and web belt.

He immediately without prompting starts in on the Red Cross: The Red Cross issues/gives him a complete shaving kit and then without notice to him starts dunning his meager Army pay for the cost. It's 55 years later and this guy is still hot about it.

I've heard other such stories and because a dissatisfied customer never stops badmouthing, the Red Cross didn't do themselves any favors during that war.

The Salvation Army is always spoken high of by vets I talk to, but the Red Cross is hit and miss.

[TR Fan]

15. $400k + $4M are immediate...

US pledges $10 - $15M.

Link:
http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory?id=363086

[Spazito]

21. I am very glad the initial CNN report was wrong...

good for the US for stepping up, we all need to in this time of disaster!

[kerrygoddess]

16. List of Agencies for Donations to Aid Asia

Action Alert: List of Agencies for Donations to Aid Asia

http://www.lightupthedarkness.org/blog/default.asp?view=plink&id=168

[kerrygoddess]

30. Updated List of Agencies for Tsunami Relief on LUTD Blog

http://www.lightupthedarkness.org/blog/default.asp?view=plink&id=168

[HEyHEY]

22. IS that enough?

[JaneDoughnut]

23. Doctors Without Borders?

I do not have much I can donate, only about $50 (tapped out after the political season and seasonal charities), but I'm thinking I'll send to Doctors Without Borders. Does anyone have past experience with that organization that should change my mind?

[daleo]

25. The CBC says $4 million now. n/t

[HEyHEY]

28. Thanks Dal

THat's more like it