[463] Of aids and tsunami

Soon after the confusion began to subside, aid from various directions started to pour in. One of the first to offer help is the United States with the initial aid of $15 million. $15 million is minute when compared to the devastation of the disaster. An official from the United Nations, Jan Egeland was swift to call the US and other industrialized nations stingy. The Challenge has an illustration that reflects the UN official’s opinion.

A few sides, in particular Fox News, were quick to retaliate but nonetheless, as a direct result from such remark, US aid rose to $35 million and shortly, promised a further $350 million of aid. That is a 200-fold of increase. After the increase on US part, the US and the UN, as mentioned in CNN, seem to be best of friends. Who wouldn’t be best of friends with $350 million eh?

While I was in Florida, a DJ over the radio said that he is disappointed by affected Asian countries requesting for help all the while these countries are the ones that are giving the US headache. With his tone, he seemed to be a little bit ignorant of geography and was trying to generalize on all things Asian. Yet, in a certain light, he is right. The world is expecting too much of the US.

I don’t think the world should expect too much from the US. Though all of us are interrelated one way or the other, the US does not owe anything to the world (except their debt. Hah!) and the world cannot possibly expect the US to lead everything. We must understand that the US has its own constraints; politically and financially.

Already, some in the US are saying that the $350 million is too much and might prevent future aid to other needy regions. This worry is justified no matter how badly the tsunami hit the countries of the Indian Ocean.

And if the US is offering aid, as it is the case right now, the US certainly seeks something in return or it was under pressure.

One other thing that catches my ears concerns Al-Qaeda and the Islamists in general. While driving in Orlando, or was it Miami or the Keys, a friend said that we don’t see these terrorists that fought in the name of Islam offering any help towards the victim of the tragedy. He further argued that these terrorists are only interested in bashing the US and not for the betterment of Muslims.

Not that I am fond of the terrorists but deep in my heart, I was trying to disagree. I can’t concur with the ways of the terrorists but some aspects of their struggle do sound acceptable, however misguided their actions are. Yet, I couldn’t find a point to counter his suggestion.

Another friend offered a different perspective. He said that we might not know whether the Islamists are offering help to the victims. Really, he said, there is no reason for them to publicize their help while the authority is looking for them. I hope this is the case.

But still, despite Muslims are one the heaviest hit, rich Gulf Muslim countries are doing too little to help. I do realize that these Gulf states are not from the first world but their income from the high oil price is certainly tremendous. These Gulf states need to offer more if they don’t want to let idea of Muslim brotherhood turns into a myth.

Also, there seems to be a fight for influence at the other end of the world. Both India and the US seem to be trying to outdo each other in Sri Lanka – both are sending ships and soldiers to help Sri Lanka. One can only speculate the sincerity of some of these aids.

And if what my friend said about the terrorists helping out quietly is indeed the case, it is a politically game. Even Collins Powell has said that all the aids the US are handing out might improve their image among the Muslims.

Nevertheless, I do believe a lot of givings, especially by volunteers from all around the world, are sincere. Like what was said in one of the interviews done by CNN, there is still good in this world.

Regardless of the event, I had without doubt better time in Florida compared to the people in Asia. The sun was bright, the sky was blue, and the water was clear and turquoise particularly at the Florida Keys. The wind was both strong and graceful at the same time.

This was taken at South Beach in Miami and this is my current desktop background.p/s – The Bear suggests an alternative way to help the affected countries. It will not help the victims directly but it helps nonetheless.

pp/s – satellite photos of Aceh and Sri Lanka by DigitalGlobe. Check out the photo analysis.