Update: Katrina's Waves

Here is the first article I have seen referencing the international response to the devastation wrought by Hurricane Katrina. A couple of key snippets:

Throughout Europe, concerned citizens were keeping a close eye on events as they lamented the loss of life and the damage caused to New Orleans, often described as one of the North America's most "European" cities. French President Jacques Chirac and German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder sent messages of sympathy to U.S. President George W. Bush. Chirac, who has famously quarreled with Bush over the Iraq war, addressed his letter, "Dear George." Pope Benedict XVI said he was praying for victims of the "tragic" hurricane while China's President Hu Jintao expressed his "belief that that the American people will definitely overcome the natural disaster and rebuild their beautiful homeland."

...

"We are getting calls from the Swiss public looking to express their condolences (and) people are also asking for an account number where they can make donations," said spokesman Daniel Wendell. Earlier this week, the American Embassy donated US$50,000 (euro40,990) to help Swiss relief groups. Several communities in Switzerland remain virtually cut off from the outside world and reliant on air transport for essential supplies. The international oil company BP PLC's foundation donated US$1 million (euro819,806) for Katrina victims. The Internet-edition Vienna daily Der Standard recorded 820 postings commenting on a front-page story on the hurricane. One of the postings, signed "Emerald," asked where donations could be sent, sparking debate about whether a rich country such as the United States needed such aid.

This situation definitely bears monitoring. Of course, while appreciated, condolences and prayers aren't equipment, food and medicine. But as I said in my previous post, we are not without friends around the world. 9/11 and other calamities have witnessed great generosities conferred by others upon America. And certainly, the United States is more prepared to help itself when such disasters arise, thus limiting the need for outside aid.

But the emphasis in my thinking is on what this says about us as a donor. Understanding that we demand fewer international resources to deal with our own disasters, we also manage to be among the first to lend a hand when others are in need. This combination results in a net generation of aid available for others. And this is important, because it means that our aid efforts are rarely ever expected to be reciprocated. They are truly, no-strings gestures. The notion of American "stinginess" as a donor is rarely ever viewed through this lens, but perhaps this unfortunate event will open some eyes.

That said, it is nice to see that no matter the political climate, many of our friends around the world are compelled to do something to alleviate human suffering.