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| -Signs, Portents, and the Weather- |
| World rushes to offer aid to tidal wave victims |
| 2004-12-26 |
| Governments and humanitarian organisations around the world have scrambled to offer aid and technical help after the devastating quake and tidal waves that killed thousands of people in southern Asia. With the death toll over 11,500 and rising, authorities offered immediate help in terms of food, shelter and medicines, as well as longer-term aid once the situation stabilises. The quake, the most powerful for 40 years and measuring 8.9 on the Richter scale, struck earlier on Sunday in the Indian Ocean off the Indonesian island of Sumatra. It unleashed a series of deadly tsunamis that hit Sri Lanka, India, Thailand, Indonesia, the Maldives, Burma and Malaysia and the East African coast. Echoing pleas by Asian leaders, Pope John Paul II urged the international community to rush aid to the affected populations. Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf called for "swift and concerted" international efforts, and the foreign ministry said it would send a consignment of relief goods comprising tents, medicines and water to Sri Lanka, one of the worst hit countries. The European Commission said it was providing immediate emergency aid of three million euros (about $A5.3 million) for victims to meet "initial vital needs," and that more substantial aid would be provided later. "The needs are enormous," European Union development and humanitarian aid commissioner Louis Michel said, adding that the aid would include "water supplies, shelter, food and blankets" and, in the longer term, health care. The United States also indicated it was ready to send assistance. "On behalf of the American people, the President expresses his sincere condolences for the terrible loss of life and suffering caused by the earthquake and subsequent tsunamis in the region of the Bay of Bengal," the White House said in a statement. "The United States stands ready to offer all appropriate assistance to those nations most affected including Sri Lanka, the Maldives, Thailand, and Indonesia, as well as the other countries impacted," the statement added. In Geneva, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies appealed for 7.5 million Swiss francs (about $A8.5 million) for "immediate support" to an estimated 500,000 survivors. Ireland offered 1 million euros (about $A1.75 million) in aid, and Kuwait a like amount in US dollars, while Turkey said it had asked its missions in the affected countries to offer whatever help was necessary. Britain extended offers of "practical assistance", dispatched two experts to join a United Nations crisis assessment team, and pledged $100,000 to help fund a World Health Organisation crisis response team. "For all the huge advances in the control of our lives through science and technology ,an earthquake on this scale is truly humbling as well as profoundly tragic for everyone involved," Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said. France said it would send a team of civil emergency experts to the Sri Lankan capital Colombo to help with providing clean water, medical attention and health procedures. Germany said it would send a fact-finding team to Sri Lanka to see what was needed for communications and water supply systems. Greece said one of its military C-130 cargo planes would leave late on Sunday for India and Sri Lanka with 11 tons of medical supplies and volunteers from three non-governmental organisations. In Russia, the emergency situations ministry said two Il-76 transport aircraft would leave on Monday with a helicopter, tents and other equipment, as well as staff, to help victims in Sri Lanka. In the region itself, New Delhi dispatched warships and aircraft carrying medicine and food to its southern coasts and to neighbouring Sri Lanka. India, where at least 2,400 people were killed, also offered assistance to other nations hit by tsunamis triggered by a giant earthquake off Indonesia. Five Indian warships steamed across the Palk Straits towards Sri Lanka, defence officials told AFP. Three air force cargo planes loaded with emergency supplies flew to India's stricken Andaman and Nicobar islands in the Bay of Bengal, they said. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh himself directed the military to launch relief measures in four coastal Indian states flooded by tsunamis. The defence ministry said it was deploying naval ships, heavy-lift helicopters and aircraft to speed up rescue operations. |
| Posted by:God Save The World |
| #1 If I recall correctly, one of the best inexpensive water filters is sari fabric, so hopefully India will include some in its shipments... It is good to know that help is already flowing to the striken area, and not just from the usual suspects. I shall sleep better for the knowing. Thank you, Worldsaver. |
| Posted by: Gleaper Thomomble7223 2004-12-27 12:14:01 AM |