Looks like I was wrong about the size of Australia's increase - rather than a mere half billion Australian dollars, they've upped it to a cool billion (US$764 million), targetted specifically at rebuilding shattered parts of Indonesia. Germany meanwhile has increased theirs to US$674 million. Kindof puts the US to shame, doesn't it?
(Yes, Americans, I am trying to make you feel competitive. That's what pissing contests are all about)
Am a little doubtful about contests (pissing and other ones) because what really counts is the quality (and efficacity) of the aid rather than the volume. Sending in Marines armed to the teeth to stricken areas (to fight Godzilla who rose from the waves after the earthquake to wreak havoc on the natives?) seems a foolish use of resources when shipments and delivery methods for food, medicine and shelter materials are more urgently needed. Interestingly, Medicins Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders) have stopped their fund raising campaign in France saying they have enough resources and giving any more now would A) lead to congestion/indigestion in the recipient areas; and B) detract from funding appeal for other disaster areas such as Darfur.
ReplyDeleteCripes those Australians are donating A LOT of money. AND providing A LOT of direct and timely support.
ReplyDeleteI think they won the pissing contest.....
Note the article also shoots in the foot a certain argument from the US
ReplyDelete"Germany is also the leader in private donations, having collected more than a third of the world's total.
It is followed by Britain where private donations exceed government pledges by almost 50%. "
So where is the USA, private donor to the world, with its population several times more than these countries?
i saw on Entertainment Tonight that Sandra Bullock gave US$1M, and that a supermodel who was vacationing in Phuket at the time has donated all the proceeds from selling a photo of herself in hospital to the media...
ReplyDeleteMichael Schumacher donated $10 million, he was always the competitive boy with a determination to win.
ReplyDeleteThe new Australian commitment is exclusive of in-kind services and previous commitments.
ReplyDeletealso Spielberg "and family" have given US$2M according to today's Herald. apparently they usually make their donations anonymously but thought by making this one publicly they would spur others to donate?
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