$350 Million Tsunami Aid

If you read only one thing in this article, make it the last paragraph before the sited source below.

It was just one idiotic word, said the Chicago Tribune in editorial. But oh, how it rackled. Last week as the full effects of South Asia's devastating tsunami became clear, UN emergency relief coordinator Jan Egeland made a desperate plea for international assistance. “It is beyond me,” he said, “why we are so stingy.” Egeland’s remark was ostensibly targeted at all of the world's developed countries. Clearly, though, he was thinking of the United States, which initially pledged a mere $15 million. Voicing Americans’ stunned indignation, President Bush called Egeland “misguided” and declared, “we are a various generous kindhearted nation.” He then proceeded to increase the pledge more than twentyfold to $350 million.

Egeland did us a favor, said Debra Saunders in the San Francisco Chronicle. Single-handedly, he proved once again that the more money our government spends abroad, “the more international integrates it creates.” Here's a reality check in 2003 the US contributed $16 billion in foreign aid, more than any other nation. In 2004 we ponied up $2.4 billion in humanitarian relief—40% of the world's total. Since Bush took office, we've nearly doubled the amount set aside for disaster relief. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg, said Carol Adelman in the New York Times. Critics of the US always overlook the extraordinary generosity of our private sector. In 2000, foreign donations by US “charities, religious organizations, foundations, corporations and universities came to $35 billion. That's more than three times the amount that Washington doled out. In 2003, American companies alone gave more foreign aid than the government of Egeland’s country of Norway. Those government-obsessed European and UN bureaucrats could learn something from our example of individual philanthropy.

It's no good said Peggy Noonan in the Wall Street Journal. Some people just wouldn't be persuaded. Just like after 9/11, the anti-American lobby is so determined to push its political agenda that it has stooped to “using dead people to make cheap points.” That's not fair, said Nicholas Kristof in the New York Times. The truth is, on a percentage basis, Uncle Sam's benefactions are indeed pitiful. The US devotes just 0.14 percent of its GDP to foreign aid ranking last among the world's 30 richest nations. Even counting private donations, we give only 21 cents “for every $100 of national income to poor countries.” Belgium, meanwhile, gives 60 cents. Holland 80 cents, and tiny Denmark 84 cents in the current crisis, Japan has put us to shame by pledging $500 million. As the richest nation on Earth, we really should do better.

IN PERSPECTIVE:
The $350 million the US government pledged for aid to tsunami victims is equal to what the US spends in Iraq every three days.

Taken from the Week, January 14, 2005, Vol. 5, Iss. 190, pp. 4 & 16