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Australian Government Tsunami donations
It is heartening to see the Australian government has now pledged $35 million to the tsunami relief efforts.
Australia has come in for a fair bit of criticism on this site by some people for being backward, so it is good to see this country being up front in donating to the international relief effort. Compared with the $35 million US ($45.2 million AU) from the US, and the £15 million from the UK ($37.2 million AU), this is an impressive amount, particularly when viewed in per capita terms. US donating $45.2 million AU population 295m = $0.15 per person UK donating $37.2 million AU population 58.7m = $0.64 per person AU donating $35 million AU population 19.3m = $1.81 per person This is not counting the personal donations from individuals, so please dig deep and help those in such dire need |
Re: Australian Government Tsunami donations
Yup,
I've seen it on ABC news a moment ago. Heard that they are going to cancel the fireworks display in the Sydney bridge to pay respect to the victim of the Tsunami disaster. Rgds, Van
Originally Posted by Trevglas
It is heartening to see the Australian government has now pledged $35 million to the tsunami relief efforts.
Australia has come in for a fair bit of criticism on this site by some people for being backward, so it is good to see this country being up front in donating to the international relief effort. Compared with the $35 million US ($45.2 million AU) from the US, and the £15 million from the UK ($37.2 million AU), this is an impressive amount, particularly when viewed in per capita terms. US donating $45.2 million AU population 295m = $0.15 per person UK donating $37.2 million AU population 58.7m = $0.64 per person AU donating $35 million AU population 19.3m = $1.81 per person This is not counting the personal donations from individuals, so please dig deep and help those in such dire need |
Re: Australian Government Tsunami donations
Are they? They said they were not going to, but they were going to use the occasion to collect money for the victims of the tusnami.
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Re: Australian Government Tsunami donations
Originally Posted by rudo1ph
Are they? They said they were not going to, but they were going to use the occasion to collect money for the victims of the tusnami.
Yep, I heard this as well. Townsville has been cancelled though I think. They're collecting in Brisbane too. It is good to see Australia donating so much, I daresay this has something to do with the locality of the Australia to the Tsunami regions though. If it were Spain/Africa etc (possible, apparently due to the volcanoes on the Canary Islands) perhaps the donation wouldn't be as high..... just a thought? |
Re: Australian Government Tsunami donations
Originally Posted by Trevglas
It is heartening to see the Australian government has now pledged $35 million to the tsunami relief efforts.
Australia has come in for a fair bit of criticism on this site by some people for being backward, so it is good to see this country being up front in donating to the international relief effort. Compared with the $35 million US ($45.2 million AU) from the US, and the £15 million from the UK ($37.2 million AU), this is an impressive amount, particularly when viewed in per capita terms. US donating $45.2 million AU population 295m = $0.15 per person UK donating $37.2 million AU population 58.7m = $0.64 per person AU donating $35 million AU population 19.3m = $1.81 per person This is not counting the personal donations from individuals, so please dig deep and help those in such dire need Good to see the Oz Government reacting so well. We had a small lottery win on the Christmas Lotto, & we've sent the lot off to one of the relief agencies. We weren't expecting the money, & reckon it'll be put to far better use helping the relief effort than us spending it in the pub etc. Cheers... John..... |
Re: Australian Government Tsunami donations
On the news in the UK the first place that I recalled being mentioned for sending aid was a plane from Australia - maybe that it is a closer country, but it does seem that Australia are quicker off the mark when it comes to assisting another countrys' disasters.
Blair only got round to making a comment late yesterday - too busy holidaying :rolleyes: and the £15m is suppose to be the start rather than complete amount. Considering it is time that is against so many of the survivors the donations are needed now, and agree the USA amount seems incredibly small when the death toll (so far) is roughly equivalent to that of 30 twin towers attacks. Also the Australian cricket team and board have donated AUS$34k, wonder if the England team will do the same when their match concludes today? |
Re: Australian Government Tsunami donations
Originally Posted by mlbonner
If it were Spain/Africa etc (possible, apparently due to the volcanoes on the Canary Islands) perhaps the donation wouldn't be as high..... just a thought?
I would also add that the fact that it happened on the other side of the Indian Ocean, makes it even more horrifying to us and also makes us realise that it could happen here. We are "linked". It's heartening to see Australia helping in this way, it should, considering it is the much richer and unaffected (in real terms) neighbour. I'd have thought that 35 million is just a drop in the ocean though and that the US contribution will be nothing in relation to the amount it spends on arms etc. |
Re: Australian Government Tsunami donations
Good on Australia.
I work for Norwich Union. They have alot of employee's in Sri Lanka. Fortunately they're all safe and well, as are thier families. It's my first day back today and I was all geared up to harass the top bosses to send aid out there. But fair play to them, they've donated £160k so far. However, I still feel that this is a pretty small amount from operating profit of £1.8bn last year. It's incredible how companies/ countries can find millions to pay director bonuses, first class air travel, for wars ect, yet we're all supposed to say how great it is when they donate this relatively small amounts of cash. Paul. |
Re: Australian Government Tsunami donations
Yeah i'm still living in UK - was dissapointed that britain only donated 15 million pounds so far. Just seen a news flash on Sky news saying that the british public have donated 20 million pounds following the appeals on TV (more than the government did!). I phoned up the 0870 60 60 900 number last night and donated 50 pound. Was going to have a meal out in the new year but thought we would donate instead even if it helps one family with shelter. Please everybody dig deep and give something no matter how small. We would all like to think that other countries would help if we were in need?
Lynn |
Re: Australian Government Tsunami donations
One of the nicest stories I have seen about this disaster was an Australian couple who was holidaying when the Tsunami hit and instead of rushing home right after, they are staying and have spent thousands of their own money in buying medicine from pharmacies as the relief groups didnt have any money. They are staying there to help for as long as they possibly can.
Now that is awesome, in my books and they should get all the recognition they deserve.... |
Re: Australian Government Tsunami donations
Similarly, A Current Affair tonight carried a story of a woman who survived the events in Phuket, but felt guilty about leaving, she is now helping staff the Red Cross call centre.
Also, Sky News just announced the 20 UK Premier League clubs are donating 1 million pounds. |
Re: Australian Government Tsunami donations
Originally Posted by Trevglas
Also, Sky News just announced the 20 UK Premier League clubs are donating 1 million pounds.
Paul. |
Re: Australian Government Tsunami donations
Originally Posted by diddy
Call me a cynic, but that's probably the value of Wayne Rooney's little toe.
Paul. |
Re: Australian Government Tsunami donations
Originally Posted by Hels
One of the nicest stories I have seen about this disaster was an Australian couple who was holidaying when the Tsunami hit and instead of rushing home right after, they are staying and have spent thousands of their own money in buying medicine from pharmacies as the relief groups didnt have any money. They are staying there to help for as long as they possibly can.
Now that is awesome, in my books and they should get all the recognition they deserve.... |
Re: Australian Government Tsunami donations
Originally Posted by Jensen Healey
Interesting. Who owns the pharmacies in those countries, and why are they charging foreigners to supply medicines to their own countryfolk...
Interesting point that wasnt clarified in the coverage I saw..... |
Re: Australian Government Tsunami donations
Originally Posted by Trevglas
The real cynical thing I heard tonight was the US gvt donation (now up to $45m US) is the same as what they spend in 5 hours in Iraq
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Re: Australian Government Tsunami donations
Anyone else spot this little snippet, hidden on a BBC web page......
The small Indian Ocean island of Diego Garcia - home to a US naval base - escaped unharmed as it was forewarned by the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre in Hawaii. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/4134485.stm |
Re: Australian Government Tsunami donations
Originally Posted by Pollyana
Anyone else spot this little snippet, hidden on a BBC web page......
The small Indian Ocean island of Diego Garcia - home to a US naval base - escaped unharmed as it was forewarned by the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre in Hawaii. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/4134485.stm Good on Mozambique though, nice to see they're really helping out - an impressive amount of a very poor country IMO. |
Re: Australian Government Tsunami donations
Originally Posted by Pollyana
Anyone else spot this little snippet, hidden on a BBC web page......
The small Indian Ocean island of Diego Garcia - home to a US naval base - escaped unharmed as it was forewarned by the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre in Hawaii. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/4134485.stm Nice of them to let everyone else know! |
Re: Australian Government Tsunami donations
Originally Posted by Scossie
Hmmmm.....
Nice of them to let everyone else know! |
Re: Australian Government Tsunami donations
Originally Posted by Pollyana
My thoughts exactly. And its been kept nice and quiet too - the only mention of Diego Garcia, buried on a page in the Africa section of the BBC.
did u get my PM missus - I'm leaving in a minute, got no credit which is why I couldn't text!! |
Re: Australian Government Tsunami donations
Originally Posted by mlbonner
did u get my PM missus - I'm leaving in a minute, got no credit which is why I couldn't text!!
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Re: Australian Government Tsunami donations
Originally Posted by Pollyana
Yeah!! I'm here!! Ready and waiting! :beer:
cool - I'm leaving now, be there via the phone credit shop :D |
Re: Australian Government Tsunami donations
Funnily enough, on the news here in the USA they mentioned that a scientific body in Australia recorded the earthquake and informed the Australian government that there was a risk for tidal waves in Asia. The government then warned Australian missions in Asia, but decided not to inform the various governments because of the risk that the Asian governments could think that Australia was being too "big brother-ish" (or something to that effect).
Don't know if it's true or not though, as the quality of news here is shocking (way too sensationalist!!). |
Re: Australian Government Tsunami donations
Meanwhile, back on topic.....
some people have weird ideas - I've had no pressure to come home. I've not contacted them yet, but I will on New Year's Eve. Meanwhile he lies on a Thai beach supping a beer. Lets hope his family have the same attitude and aren't worrying about him...... http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/4135073.stm |
Re: Australian Government Tsunami donations
This is what the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre in Honolulu seems to have said:
An alert centre in Hawaii that warns Pacific countries about approaching tsunamis had detected the earthquake that generated killer waves across Asia, but had no way of raising the alarm. The absence of an alert system in Asia meant the information could not be sent out fast enough to save any of the more than 23,000 lives that were lost in the catastrophe. "We did what we could to warn Asian nations of the likelihood of a tsunami," said Charles McCreery of the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre in Honolulu, adding that the centre did not have direct contacts with Indian ocean nations. The centre, set up by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in 1949 after a huge wave killed 159 people in Hawaii, tried desperately to warn Asian nations through US embassies in their capitals. "From our instruments we can detect any large earthquake in the Pacific, usually within two to three minutes of the occurrence of the earthquake, and warn any country that is threatened," he said. The centre issued a bulletin at 0114 GMT when it detected the temblor off the coast of Indonesia, but with no early warning system in place in Asia, scientists had no choice but to begin working their phones. |
Re: Australian Government Tsunami donations
Originally Posted by Scossie
Hmmmm.....
Nice of them to let everyone else know! Britain has now pledged 50 million GBPs. British charities have now raised over 20 million pounds which is probably what embarrassed the govenment into pledging more money. |
Re: Australian Government Tsunami donations
On the US forum, one poster said the United States is sending billions of dollars in equipment ie entire United States Navy battle group complete with aircraft carrier and escorts (destroyers and guided missile crusiers) to the region as well as their monetary donation.
I know the horse has bolted but it would be a good idea if the US or the United Nations set up a early warning centre like in Hawaii. It would be far better than spending loads of money on unpopular wars. Just one of the destroyer escorts could pay for several early warning centres. This disater should NEVER happen again. |
Re: Australian Government Tsunami donations
Phil McFadden, chief scientist of Geoscience Australia, said warnings without such training were useless.
. "If all you do is phone up the local police station, they don't know what to do," he said. "And in fact, one of the problems is that if you tell untrained people, 'Listen - there's a tsunami coming,' half of them go down to the beach to see what a tsunami looks like." No easy system to warn of disaster Share his dim view. Would like to think that films and documentaries played to the Aus public over the years would enable enough to recognise the symptoms - but I very much doubt it. |
Re: Australian Government Tsunami donations
I just heard on the TV news that the American people are deluded about the amount which is spent on international aid, thinking it's about 24% of GDP, when actually it's below 1%. Bush is also coming in for criticism as he didn't respond (commenting) to the emergency until 4 days later. The report went on to say that it would also be beneficial to the situation re. terrorism if the US responded quickly and won the battle for hearts and minds; Indonesia being a country with large numbers of muslim fundamentalists who could use the situation for their own advantage, recruiting the disposessed etc. Whether this is a real problem or just scare mongering will remain to be seen.
The same report also commended the UK government for the amount they have pledged (being the highest amount so far) and went on to say that UK donation centres etc. couldn't cope with the number of calls and websites were crashing due to the amount of people donating. I wonder if anyone has up-to-date amounts? |
Re: Australian Government Tsunami donations
Originally Posted by Larissa
I wonder if anyone has up-to-date amounts?
But figures can be misleading: eg: Other leading government contributors <..> Canada at $US32.8 million ($42.1 million), but the report then goes on to say: "Two Canadian provinces set aside aid worth $US10.8 million ($13.9 million) for Asian tsunami victims, bringing Canada's total government aid package to $44 million ($47 million). " In Italy, a media campaign reportedly netted more than 11 million euro ($19.3 million) from mobile phone users, while the Italian foreign ministry has set aside three million euro ($5.3 million) for immediate relief. |
Re: Australian Government Tsunami donations
I think it's a bit pointless comparing expenditure on aid with other government budgets.
I remember reading years ago (after hysteria in some quarters over the NASA budget) that US women spend three times the amount of the Apollo moon program per year - on cosmetics. So what? |
Re: Australian Government Tsunami donations
Wow, that's a lot of lippy!
Now I do love a bit of lipstick myself, but making the comparison helps me to realise personally that giving away a few pounds or bucks isn't going to break the bank, so if it makes people stop and give more, then that's great. It bothers me that people are scratching around in the mud for rice, when I'm stuffing my face with Timtams and the fridge is full. I'm not usually like this, but right now I feel bothered that we live in such a materialistic society, we have all this stuff but we don't actually need it. Perhaps governments will dig a bit deeper if they come under critisicm, looks like the US are becoming more generous already. I think it's fine to compare government spending - if they weren't ever questionned, then who would they be answerable to? I hope that something good comes out of this horrible thing, perhaps countries will co-ooperate and past grievances will be forgotten :confused: |
Re: Australian Government Tsunami donations
Originally Posted by Larissa
Bush probably doesn't know where it is.
He will know where it is soon because he sent his brother there as part of the USA delegation. Dame Edna said on Parkinson the other week that for Christmas she sent George W an atlas of the world, how funny. It was very heart warming to see the Oz government bieng one of the first to mobilise themselves and start helping, I was sat here in the UK (while on holiday) and it made me feel proud to part of Oz. Yes people on here slag the country and its people off but you can not fault them and what they are doing for the people of Asia. Oz is only a small country but it has a big heart. :) |
Re: Australian Government Tsunami donations
Originally Posted by j4yne
He will know where it is soon because he sent his brother there as part of the USA delegation. Dame Edna said on Parkinson the other week that for Christmas she sent George W an atlas of the world, how funny.
It was very heart warming to see the Oz government bieng one of the first to mobilise themselves and start helping, I was sat here in the UK (while on holiday) and it made me feel proud to part of Oz. Yes people on here slag the country and its people off but you can not fault them and what they are doing for the people of Asia. Oz is only a small country but it has a big heart. :) I second that! Great post. |
Re: Australian Government Tsunami donations
The really encouraging thing for me is the way that the UK & US people have *embarassed* their governments into giving more cash for aid. It's impressive.
Now all we've got to do is embarrass those same weasly politicians into stopping the expenditure, mayhem & loss of lives (on all sides) incurred in the current round of wars & invasions. Anya. |
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