Thank you International Community!!!/Good news from New Orleans

I just wanted to personnaly thank the International community for their support, prayers, and response to my nation's tragedy. God bless you all. ~:)

I'm trying to get some time off work to get down there and help out how ever i can. This is a time to come together and help the poor and my heart is warmed by the response of those here and those abroad. Yes, some have taken advantage of this situation (looters and other criminals) but I've seen some wonderful compassion from many. This tragedy, although terrible and a nighmare, has brought us together. So please use this thread as a place to post well wishes and prayers. Also, if you've seen something that shows the GOOD in this, whether it be a rescue mission or something that you or a charity has done, please post it. Let's come together and show that their is still good in this world. From to Tsunami to this, there is something about the human spirit that should be celebrated. So let's do it here!!! ~:cheers:

Oh well... Too bad....

Sorry, mate. I'm reeaaly looking. I'm not seeing too much good in this desaster.Yet. This thread will have a beter chance once the chaos is reduced, and you can actually see something is happening.
However....
One thing I do see... and to those I bow my head and thank them for their courage, are the numerous volunteers who try to help the refugees.

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Originally Posted by Devastatin Dave

Oh well... Too bad....

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Indeed :embarassed:

It's really sad but so far I have not really see encouraging news from the desaster area itself (although I guess people are really longing to hear some good stories from there - even little ones).

It's good to see though that NGO here in Germany seem to be gearing up for the situation (e.g., one the website of the German Red Cross you can now directly dedicate donations to the US).
Also help offers from the German admin seem to get a bit more specific now - and I hope that the US admin will indeed follow up on this and request the help as soon as the situation clears up a bit and support from other countries can be utilized in an efficient way.

German embassy website

An hour ago I talked to my colleagues in the US and they sounded seriously distressed.

Thanks for starting this thread, Dave and I hope that over the next days we will have more and more reason for a lot of posts in this particular thread.

My thoughts are with your fellow countrymen and -women in the affected area.

Thank you Gentlemen for your participation in this thread. Some good news? A 8 mile long convoy is in New Orleans with supplies, we will overcome this, especially with the help of our friends around the world. :bow:

Here's some feel-good news:

http://www.cnn.com/2005/WEATHER/09/0....ap/index.html

Americans are opening up their homes to evacuees. If they can coordinate this a little better, maybe people won't have to stay in stadiums for months.

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Originally Posted by drone

Here's some feel-good news:

http://www.cnn.com/2005/WEATHER/09/0....ap/index.html

Americans are opening up their homes to evacuees. If they can coordinate this a little better, maybe people won't have to stay in stadiums for months.

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I was wondering if similar things to this might happen - sort of like a temporary homestay thing.

Well, the Netherlands are sending a frigate from the Antilles as well as offering expertise in identifying bodies, repairing dikes, water managment and diving teams. (Our Prime Minister just said so in a press conference).

I must say, the footage from New Orleans we get here is really apocalyptic...I hope things can get sorted out faster than they seem to be doing now.

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Originally Posted by Idaho

I was wondering if similar things to this might happen - sort of like a temporary homestay thing.

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We're trying to arrange this through my church. There's only one problem... I live 800 miles from New Orleans. Moving people around to available living spaces is going to be a monumental task. :dizzy2:

Yes that's a true disaster and I'm feeling the grief for those involved somehow.

God bless you..

Norway is ready to deploy a search and rescue team, and will give some oil, from what I gather. I'm not sure if this amounts to much :embarassed:
There is also a general offer of aid:
http://www.aftenposten.no/english/lo...cle1107667.ece

I've shed a few tears myself. (I think it hits even closer to the heart when something like this happens to a "similar" society, it's easier to relate to...)

My deepest sympathy to all affected.

This is the time for us all to start singing that old protest song "We shall Overcome," but now it refers to disasters such as this. America is strong, and while we may be struck down with a blow to the gut, we shall always rise up again and face the disaster.

When this happened I really didn't expect the international community to do anything for us. In fact, I expected a worldwide "YOU DESERVED IT." But I'm happy to say I've been pleasantly surprised. Times like this show who our true friends are. And I'm happy to say we have a few more than I thought.

Thank you, World, for your support and aid in the wake of hurricaine Katrina.

It's a bit strange hearing Mexico giving aid to America.

I read that Canada has had a disaster response team on the ground for a couple of days now but they have been prevented from entering the city by local authorities because it's too dangerous.

Sorry guys. We're trying...

I think it is way too paranoid to be surprised at having symphatetic and friendly reaction in such times.

The conflictions - at least the modern time wars are all of the politicians' and governments'.

I remember whole world flocking to aid us in 17 August Earthquake disaster occured in '99.

Above all, it's all about human and life. Who cares about the reast in such times ?..

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Originally Posted by Louis IV the Fat

Look, I don't want to sound insensitive, but some countries can take care of themselves, others can't.
Germany doesn't need foreign aid when they have a flood, Paris doesn't need aid when an overcrowded building burns down, America doesn't need aid after Katrina.

Apart from very specific technical assistance (like Swiss Alpine dogs to search for survivors after 9-11) what do our societies really need?

In the unlikely event that there's anything America needs that it can not provide for itself, I'm sure you only need to ask.

I will stress my sympathy and condolances. ~:grouphug:

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Sorry to be so impolite as to quote my own post.


On wednesday, when I posted this in the 'America and the world'-thread just before I went to bed, the news still spoke of a few dozen deaths. I thought it was just an oversized hurricane - one of many to batter the South East US every year. Nothing that local, maybe federal, authorities couldn't handle. Let alone something that would demand major international assistance.

Then, the next day, the news suddenly spoke of 1000+ deaths and enormous ravage. The images were shocking, haunting. What a mess. :embarassed:


So, this did call for international effort after all. I hope that some of the money I donate to charity (Médecins Sans Frontières) will find it's way to Louisiana.

I mean the following with the best intentions: when people say that America is not devoid of foreign sympathy and that it does have friends, they mean it. A statement that 'in the unlikely event that there's anything America needs that it can not provide for itself, I'm sure you only need to ask' is the truth. When France calls herself a befriended country, she will put her money where her mouth is.

Countless other countries have mobilized relief efforts for America too in the past few days.

Maybe a more relaxed relationship between the US and the world will be something good coming out of this? Kind of like a reversed 9-11?

My America and the wrold thread was abit premature sorry if I POd anyone and I thank all the countries who are helping ~:cheers:

Portugal just offered to the US 2% of our oil reserves as a loan.....i expect props :bow:

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Originally Posted by Ronin

i expect props :bow:

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Classy.

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Originally Posted by Proletariat

Classy.

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thanks....i try ~;)

I know some colleges are allowing the New Orleans college students free tution until it's all back to normal...
Don't ask for proof, my Mom told me about it, but I trust her. ~;)

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Originally Posted by Paul Peru

Norway is ready to deploy a search and rescue team, and will give some oil, from what I gather. I'm not sure if this amounts to much :embarassed:

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It amounts to to us!!! Thanks Norway!!!

Canada will be sending 91,000 barrels a day of crude oil to the US and the Paris-based International Energy Agency will release 2 million barrels a day of crude oil, gasoline and other fuels into world markets over a 30-day period. Production in the Gulf of Mexico typically ranges between 1.5 million and 1.8 million barrels of oil per day so this should help to make up for a lot of that. The refinery capacity will however be the choke point.


Russia may have been the first to offer aid but many others have followed. The U.S. has received aid offers from countries including France, Germany, Russia, Belgium, Italy, Britain, Canada, Japan, Honduras, El Salvador, Venezuela, Cuba, Jamaica, Australia, Sri Lanka, China, Singapore, the Netherlands, Greece, Sweden, Norway, Israel, Mexico, South Korea, Switzerland, the United Arab Emirates, the Dominican Republic, NATO and the Organization of American States.

Interesting. It comes as a pleasant knowledge that, in the end, humans are just...well...humans. National boundaries no longer prevent us from recognizing that others are also humans; unlike in the past, and that private people - living people that speaks an entirely different tongue to the suffered people on the other side of the world - are willing to aid their fellow humans in such times. Governments, politicians, and bereaucracies are the least effective, and most unimpressive, of all the people in this disastrous event. Kind of makes me think...why do we have the worst of us leads us all?

I offer my sympathy to the people who are affected by the disaster. :bow:

Now, if we do something with these snipers...

Hey, Canada is sending warships to Louisiana. Props to Canada. LINK

The progressive grass-roots political action group MoveOn.org has put together a relief effort that has made 42,000 beds available for refugees so far. Props to MoveOn.

"In just 24 hours people across the country opened their homes and offered more than 42,000 beds. The emergency drive connects empty beds with hurricane victims in need of housing. The public can post free housing offers (a spare room, extra bed, even a decent couch), then evacuees and aid workers can search for available housing online at: www.hurricanehousing.org."

LINK

Oh now you've done it, Aurelian. You've just caused a segment of the forum population to go into apoplectic catatonia.

While Moveon.org was busy setting up a grassroots online effort to find beds for refugees, the good folks at the 700 club were praying fervently for the victims.

Charities are running in hight gear at the moment as the Swiss donate money not only for within her own borders. As stated previously by another poster, disasters of such magnitude pull together humanity in such a global socety. It's good to see.

Something I have found:

'The U.S. Embassy in Bern, Switzerland — a capital at the foot of the Alps hit by flooding last week — said calls were rushing in from Swiss individuals and institutions looking for a way to donate to relief efforts.

"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.'

CBS News

Also heard on the news last night that Switzerland was preparing specialised pumps to get the water out in case they were needed and requested by the US.

Let's hope now that help has finally arrived for the poor souls in Esp. NO, that things will move along swiftly.

Quid

It seems like the international community is getting more and more aware that it can be them next time. I believe that we all should try to participate in help to all catastrophy areas and eventually have a international function to handle this all over the world. I take catastrophies like New Orleans very personally, since I feel for people and I want to receive help if it is me the next time.....

I tought this kind of thread should also be apropriate.This isnt about blaming,this one is about progress.
National Guards troop have succesfully evacuated The medical Centre of Lousiana.1300 patients that had spent five days without power and with flood water coursing through the corridors have been now evacuated. ~:)

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Originally Posted by Aenlic

Oh now you've done it, Aurelian. You've just caused a segment of the forum population to go into apoplectic catatonia.

While Moveon.org was busy setting up a grassroots online effort to find beds for refugees, the good folks at the 700 club were praying fervently for the victims.

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Church's and those evil Christians that you apparently have a biggoted opinion of are providing aid as well and I'm sure more than moveon could possibly ever provide, but that's is not whats important. Don't be a jerk and turn this thread into something negative or post bigotted and stupid idiotic statements. If you have nothing good to say then get the frick out. :furious3:

Props to moveon for their efforts.