OK. I've officially heard, seen or read one too many articles about the tsnunami relief effort being botched.
Let me preface everything else by saying that what has happened in Asia is obviously the most historic natural human tragedy of our time. Hundreds of thousands, if not millions of people in that region were already living in squaller, oppression and conflict before the tsunami. So many with little to begin with, now are gone(dead), or have nothing.
As of today, the International contributions for relief are about $2 Billion. Japan alone has pledged $500 million, followed by the US at $350 million. This amount doesn't include the costs associated with diverting our Navy and Marine units to support relief efforts. So, one might naturally wonder who's receiving and managing the use of this money. Since the $2B figure was reported by the United Nations, I can only assume that the UN is managing this effort. Pretty scarey, right? Given the UN's track record, I'd guess that alot of that money will wind up lining UN and local government officials pockets. And guess what. The United States will get blamed for everything bad that happens in the aftermath of the relief effort.
Based upon numerous reports of aid still not getting to people in need you have to wonder how committed to helping their own citizens some of these governments are. I've even heard stories of people hoarding the food and supplies being distributed and selling it to those that need it at outrageous prices. The fact is, these governments weren't interested in these people before the tsunami either. Here's some background information.
Sri Lanka (Buddist) is slightly larger than West Virginia, but has nearly 20 million residents. Of these, over 4 million live in poverty. 34% of Sri Lanka's exports are sold in the US. Imports from the US to Sri Lanka aren't even large enough to be listed. India 16.1%, Hong Kong 8.4%, Singapore 7.8%, Japan 6.7%, China 4.9%, South Korea 4.2%, Taiwan 4.2%, UK 4.1%, Malaysia 4%.
Malaysia (Muslim/Buddist) is a little larger than New Mexico and has over 23 million inhabitants. With only 8% of it's citizens living in poverty and a GDP of over $200B, you would have expected the Malaysian government to respond vigorously to help their people independently. Not suprisingly, the US is Malaysia's largest export partner. However Japan is the leading import partner, closely followed by the US (Japan 17.3%, US 15.5%).
Indonesia (Muslim) is huge in size compared to other countries in the area, being about 3 times the size of Texas. It's actually a chain of islands, or archipelago between the Indian and Pacific Oceans. 283 million people are crammed into this country, almost a third of which are living in poverty. With a population nearly matching the United States, Indonesia has a GDP of less than one tenth that of the United States. It's also one of, if not the largest Muslim populations on the planet. Which also means that Indonesia is a hotbed of terrorist activity, corruption, human rights abuse and other elicit activities. Japan is the leading export and import partner for Indonesia. The US doesn't export enough here to even make the list.
Thailand (Buddist) is about twice the size of Wyoming with roughly 64 million people. The CIA actually extrapolates the mortality rate due to AIDS in calculating Thailands polulation, for what it's worth. Only 10% of Thailand's population live in poverty. Thailand's largest import partner is Japan (24%) followed by the US (9%) and China (8%). Export partners are the US (17%) and Japan (14%).
Burma (Buddist) is about the size of Texas, has 42 million people, 25% of which live in poverty. 100% live under an oppressive military regime, which of course explains why China is the #1 import partner for Burma and Thailand is the leading export partner. Even with the corrupt and oppressive regime, the US is the 2nd leading importer of Burmese goods, but once again, can't export enough to Burma to be listed.
Somalia (Muslim). Remember Black Hawk Down? This peice of crap country is about the size of Texas and nobody really knows it's population, but it's guessed at about 9 million. Like alot of Africa, this country is in a civil war and has no formal government to help anyone.
I'm not going to downplay the significance of Japan's contributions in regards to foreign aid. In fact, Japan has been one of the leading contributors over the years. It needs to be said that foreign aid, especially outside of natural emergencies, is a political tool. Did you notice that most of the countries that will be receiving the tsunami aid are also the leading import partners for Japan?
The US has virtualy no economic motivation in this region to justify a $350 million contribution. It's a fact too that the American people are actually more generous than our government. Globalissues.org reports that Americans give over 3x what our government gives each year (which we already pay duh). Our poverty rate is about 12%. It's more than some of the countries that will be getting this aid.
And yet, whenever tragedies occur, the US is called upon to help. Whenever people are oppressed, the US is called upon to help. Yet we are dispised and the UN is exaulted.
It's pure bullshit. Where are the UN's success stories? Korea? Viet Nam? Croatia? Somalia? Where are other countries when we need them? Apparently, they are looking for a hand-out.
We will continue to give, in spite of the criticism and the hatred. Americans are generous people inspite of the recipient. The United States IS a Christian nation. Most of us are tought to be charitable and forgiving.
You watch. America and Americans will give to this cause like no other. In the end, somehow we will still be the "bad guy".
