Since Dec. 26, 2004, the world’s attention has been focused, and rightfully so, on the horrible tidal waves resulting from the earthquake in Asia. Cities are ravaged. Parts of Southeast Asia and East Africa that were once filled with tourists and resorts are now merely ghost towns. Over 155,000 people are believed to be dead and even more are missing. Hospitals are packed with survivors. Food and shelter are stretched thin across the dilapidated cities. Families are devastated. One Swedish teenager lost his parents, grandmother, cousin and aunt in a moment’s time. CNN notes U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan as commenting on the aftereffects, “I have never seen so much utter destruction mile after mile.”
The tsunami was one of the world’s worst natural disasters. Soon after Mother Nature struck, aid poured in from all over the world, showing what a capacity for compassion the global community really has. In a time of need, the world can be counted on for help.
And yet, some rich countries have already been branded “stingy” by the U.N. humanitarian aid chief, Jan Egeland from Norway. Not having named any country specifically, it was a surprise that the United States came out with an extremely defensive reaction, personally attacked Egeland and labeled him “misguided and ill-informed,” as reported by Pacificnews.org. The U.S. later added $20 million to the $15 million previously offered. The total is now up to $350 million, which is still quite lower than the United States can afford.
There is, of course, only one explanation for this suspicious reaction: the United States is aware that it could be doing much more.
Australia, the lovely and generous land down under, has pledged $1 billion over the next five years to Indonesia, the country hit hardest in the tsunami. The country, under the courageous leadership of Prime Minister Howard, is overseeing an aid program in conjunction with Indonesia to help the tsunami victims. Australia is giving almost three times what America is giving. And all of this is coming from a country that has a GDP that is over $10,000 less per capita than that of the United States.
There are countries whose generosity has not been recognized, such as the millions of dollars and planes filled with supplies and food sent from Israel.
The outpouring of love and support that the United States received after Sept. 11 was simply incredible, and the United States has failed to return the same support in a disaster that took more than forty times as many lives. Not to mention that less than 1 percent of the U.S. budget is currently being spent on foreign aid, which is near the lowest percentage among the industrialized countries.
Now, let’s compare this $350 million to other things that America is spending money on. So far, approximately $40 million is being spent on the inauguration parties that are coming up soon. Hundreds of thousands of people have died in a natural catastrophe and we feel it is more important to spend money on parties recognizing the winner of an election that cost around $4 billion alone than rebuilding the suffering communities across the world.
Then, of course, there is the Iraq war, in which we will have invested almost $200 billion. Imagine that. Billions on a war that was based on a lie — a war we can’t get out of in a timely manner or with a clear strategy. Think of it, extra money lying around just in case of a natural disaster, or a disaster of any type, for that matter. Bush’s government also plans to spend around $13 billion on nuclear weapons this year. That’s just wonderful.
It’s important to note that America is helping the people of Southeast Asia and East Africa. Individual Americans and non-profit organizations have donated millions of dollars, food and supplies to relief efforts. At the time of this article’s writing, there was also a large telethon planned with George Clooney hosting. However, being such a wealthy country, we can and should do better.
To those who say this kind of thinking is just politicizing a natural disaster to get an agenda across: It’s not politicizing if all you are trying to do is get more money to those who need it; those whose homes are ruined, those whose breadwinners are dead or missing, those whose lives have been ruined and changed forever. They need money. We have money to give. Your bickering is only making matters worse.
Our generation has never seen such a disaster, and it’s time for unparalleled support. People are in such dire straits; giving them money is the least we can do. We will hopefully never be able to comprehend the horror that they endured, but we can do more to help them recover.
Julie Isen ([email protected]) is a junior majoring in political science.