Promises, Promises
It really does seem like yesterday. This week marks the six-month anniversary of the horrific tsunami. At least 125,000 people died. Millions were displaced or lost their way of life.
As we look back, despite the grief and loss, there is much to celebrate. A ton of money was raised. Widespread disease was averted. Most of the surviving victims were fed and sheltered.
And now, the hard part starts. Schools have to be built. Hospitals need to be erected. Housing complexes must be manufactured, so people can move from their tents. Foster homes need to be found for the orphans. Loans need to be made. Tourists need to be convinced it's safe.
In many ways, this kind of work is much harder than the short-term disaster relief. It requires strategy, vision, planning, and yes, money. Lots of it. But here there's a bit of a problem.
Many countries that acted so concerned and so generous in January, including the U.S., haven't paid up. In the early days of the new year, you may remember the endless press conferences as leaders of countries tripped over each other to demonstrate their global compassion and benevolence, pledging millions, even billions of dollars.
Germany pledged more than anyone else, over $1 billion. But so far, six months later, they've only ponied up $150 million. France, the Netherlands, and Canada have each given less than 20% of what they promised. The U.S., shamed into pledging $350 million, has thus far only delivered $100 million of it.
Where's the rest? What are we waiting for? People to forget? A disaster at home that makes it impossible to honor our pledge? Thinking about starting another war somewhere?
And just so you know, this isn't standard practice. Japan has paid all of the money they pledged. The British have written checks for 97% of their offer.
You promise to pay someone, you pay someone. A pledge is a promise, an oath, a guarantee, and a covenant. There's a special place for people who deceive and double-cross victims of natural disasters.
Time to pay up, boys.
As we look back, despite the grief and loss, there is much to celebrate. A ton of money was raised. Widespread disease was averted. Most of the surviving victims were fed and sheltered.
And now, the hard part starts. Schools have to be built. Hospitals need to be erected. Housing complexes must be manufactured, so people can move from their tents. Foster homes need to be found for the orphans. Loans need to be made. Tourists need to be convinced it's safe.
In many ways, this kind of work is much harder than the short-term disaster relief. It requires strategy, vision, planning, and yes, money. Lots of it. But here there's a bit of a problem.
Many countries that acted so concerned and so generous in January, including the U.S., haven't paid up. In the early days of the new year, you may remember the endless press conferences as leaders of countries tripped over each other to demonstrate their global compassion and benevolence, pledging millions, even billions of dollars.
Germany pledged more than anyone else, over $1 billion. But so far, six months later, they've only ponied up $150 million. France, the Netherlands, and Canada have each given less than 20% of what they promised. The U.S., shamed into pledging $350 million, has thus far only delivered $100 million of it.
Where's the rest? What are we waiting for? People to forget? A disaster at home that makes it impossible to honor our pledge? Thinking about starting another war somewhere?
And just so you know, this isn't standard practice. Japan has paid all of the money they pledged. The British have written checks for 97% of their offer.
You promise to pay someone, you pay someone. A pledge is a promise, an oath, a guarantee, and a covenant. There's a special place for people who deceive and double-cross victims of natural disasters.
Time to pay up, boys.
posted by Trent Stamp at 3:32 PM
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