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.

I tend to agree - I would greatly appreciate if we could at least in this thread refrain from snide remarks and belittling any efforts or attempts to help.

This thread should simply serve to collect the good news to show that
not all things are bleak and that humanity is not all about looting, shooting and misery, but that there are still some fine people out there who go out of their way to help others :bow:

Current list according to the (Australian) ABC.

Offers of help had been received from: Australia, Austria, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Belgium, Canada, China, Columbia, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, the European Union, France, Germany, Guatemala, Greece, Guyana, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Mexico, NATO, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, the Organization of American States, Paraguay, Philippines, Portugal, South Korea, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovakia, Spain, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Sweden, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates, Venezuela, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the World Health Organisation.

Good work to all of them, especially the poorer nations. I would be ashamed if Australia didn't give something, but for the poorer nations I am impressed. Also good work on both Cuba and Venezuela in putting aside their disagreements with the US in the face of a tragedy.

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Originally Posted by dgb

Good work to all of them, especially the poorer nations. I would be ashamed if Australia didn't give something, but for the poorer nations I am impressed. Also good work on both Cuba and Venezuela in putting aside their disagreements with the US in the face of a tragedy.

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uhmmm....i don´t know if you saw the declarations by fidel castro...but i got the impression that he was kinda rubbing it in....not sure it that was an honest relief offer.....mainly because he knows he won´t be taken up on it.

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Originally Posted by King Henry V

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

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Venezuela offered aid as well... suprising and good to hear.

kagemusha's "Good news from New Orleans" thread has been merged with this one as both seem to have the same intentions - collecting and recognising the good news and developments.

Looks like the evacuation has become a lot more orderly. Hopefully these people that have had to endure the whole Super Dome fiasco will now get to somewhere that has proper food, water, and sanitation. ~:)

7000 troops including para´s and marines are to reach the area in 24-72 hours to supplement the 4000 regular troops and thousends of National guardsmen in the area.Also 18000 of the original 20000 people in superdome has been also succesfully evacuated.It seems like wheels are starting to roll in there. ~:)

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Originally Posted by Ronin

uhmmm....i don´t know if you saw the declarations by fidel castro...but i got the impression that he was kinda rubbing it in....not sure it that was an honest relief offer.....mainly because he knows he won´t be taken up on it.

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If the US refuses aid that is given, unless there are ridiculous strings attached (which I cannot see in this case), then it is making the same mistake the Russians did with the Kursk. The Kursk cost the lives of 118 - if the US makes the same mistake with Katrina it could costs thousands of lives.

I'm glad to hear things are finally getting underway. Some of the stuff seen on the news or wherever was appalling, it's good to know those people are getting the help they deserve.

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Originally Posted by Devastatin Dave

Looks like the evacuation has become a lot more orderly. Hopefully these people that have had to endure the whole Super Dome fiasco will now get to somewhere that has proper food, water, and sanitation. ~:)

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I agree with you ~;)

Seriously though, the US was always going to manage it when they got a good man on the ground to lead a large scale operation. Good to know there's some strong leadership on the ground to get things back to normal as soon as possible and end what nearly became a wide scale humanitarian disaster. It was bad yes, but could have been much worse

On saturday more then 10000 people have been succesfully evacuated from New Orleans.Over 40 aircrafts are operating round-the-clock,in what has been called the largest airlift in USA.
http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/image...irlift_203.jpg

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United Arab Emirates

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~D

Aid turned into ego fest of who would donate more ~;p , then again i'm impressed alot of the 3rd world countries stepped in to help.

Man, i don't like her music but...

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/rssstory...atrina/3338669

Its great to see folks help out. I also saw Steve Harvey is down there as well. ~:)

You ask and you will receive (most of the AID is not being allowed in by US officials).

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AUSTRALIA: "We're going to provide $A10 million and the bulk of that money, if not all of it, will go to the American Red Cross," said Foreign Minister Alexander Downer.
CHINA: China offered $5 million in aid for victims of Hurricane Katrina which devastated the Gulf Coast ahead of President Hu Jintao's US visit. If needed, the Chinese government is also prepared to send rescue workers, including medical experts, officials said.

JAPAN: Will provide $US200,000 ($262,777) to the American Red Cross to assist victims of Hurricane Katrina, the Japanese Foreign Ministry said. Japan will also identify needs in affected regions via the US government and will provide up to $US300,000 ($394,166) in emergency supplies if it receives requests for such assistance, the ministry said.

SINGAPORE: The Singapore Armed Forces, responding to requests by the United States Texas Army National Guard, has sent three Chinook helicopters to Fort Polk, Louisiana, to help in relief efforts. The government said the Chinooks would help to ferry supplies and undertake airlift missions.

SOUTH KOREA: Has pledged aid and is waiting for a US response, a government official said. "We have sent our intention to offer recovery aid," a Foreign Ministry official said.

SRI LANKA: Will donate $US25,000 ($32,847) to the American Red Cross.

CANADA: Offered to help in any way it can and the navy is preparing a ship full of emergency disaster relief supplies to be sent when a request comes.

CUBA: Cuban President Fidel Castro offered to fly 1100 doctors to Houston with 26 tonnes of medicine to treat victims.

MEXICO: Is sending 15 truckloads of water, food and medical supplies via Texas and the Mexican navy has offered to send two ships, two helicopters and 15 amphibious vehicles.

VENEZUELA: President Hugo Chavez, a vocal critic of the United States, offered to send cheap fuel, humanitarian aid and relief workers to the disaster area.

EUROPEAN UNION: EU countries are ready to give the United States oil if it requests help, EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana said. But British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said this was not what the EU had in mind when it discussed how to help.

FRANCE: Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin said France was ready to offer help, and said: "We have rescue teams based in the Caribbean and we are naturally ready to provide aid to the Americans, and that is what we have told them."

GERMANY: A German Army Airbus plane landed in Florida with 10 tonnes of food rations to be transported to the disaster area; a second plane was being prepared, a Defence Ministry spokesman said.

ITALY: Has offered to send aid and evacuation specialists, Italy's civil protection unit said. Authorities have prepared two military transport planes to fly amphibious vessels, pumps, generators, tents and personnel to New Orleans and other areas. They were awaiting word from US officials, the unit said.

NETHERLANDS: Will provide teams for inspecting dykes and for identifying victims if there is a formal request from the United States. It will also send a frigate from Curacao to New Orleans shortly to provide emergency assistance, the government said.

RUSSIA: Has offered to help with rescue efforts, but is still awaiting a reply from Washington. "Above all with heavy transport planes, which can be loaded with helicopters and generators - as there is no electricity in the area of the catastrophe," Defence Minister Sergei Ivanov said.

SPAIN: Expects to receive a formal request to release petrol stocks to the United States and is prepared to grant it, an Industry Ministry spokesman said.

SWEDEN: The Rescue Authority said it was on stand-by to supply water purifying equipment, healthcare supplies and emergency shelters if needed.

IRAN: Has offered to send humanitarian aid to a country that has labelled Iran part of the "axis of evil". "The victims have complained about the lack of timely assistance and we are prepared to send our contributions to the people through the Red Crescent," said Foreign Ministry spokesman Hamid Reza Asefi.

ISRAEL: Sending health and defence officials to the US to help coordinate aid. Prime Minister Ariel Sharon told his cabinet: "I would like to point out that the United States has stood with us during difficult days and it is our duty to assist in the areas in which we are able to help."

QATAR: Pledged $US100 million ($131.39 million) in aid to the disaster victims, the official QNA news agency reported.

SAUDI ARABIA: Saudi Refining, a Houston-based subsidiary of state oil firm Saudi Aramco, will donate $US5 million ($6.57 million) to the American Red Cross to support relief efforts for victims of Hurricane Katrina.

RED CROSS/RED CRESCENT: The Geneva-based International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies is sending 80 disaster experts from more than 10 countries in response to a call from the American Red Cross. They will support volunteers providing food and shelter, the Federation said.

COR UNUM: Pope Benedict announced he had asked the Vatican's central charity organisation, Cor Unum, to coordinate Catholic aid for hurricane victims. "We have all been pained in the last few days by the disaster caused by the hurricane in the United States of America, particularly in New Orleans," Pope Benedict said.

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Pledges from Around the World

Add Kuwait- they're donating half a billion dollars in supplies.

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“The humanitarian aid is oil products that the devastated (U.S.) states need in these circumstances, plus other humanitarian aid to lessen the devastation these three states have been subjected to,” Energy Minister Sheikh Ahmad al-Fahd al-Sabah told state news agency KUNA.

He said the aid gesture was a duty towards a friend by the tiny Gulf Arab state which was liberated in 1991 by a U.S.-led multinational coalition from seven months of Iraqi occupation.

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link

Belgium sent in logistic experts to aid the red cross. Medical aid workers are ready to go as are the military (both waiting for US permission). We're also sharing our oil stock.

Not much, but we're a small country I guess.

~:grouphug:

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Originally Posted by Gelatinous Cube

Hey, even Iran is sending help. How 'bout that.

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This is probably from when the US along with many other countries helped them during their earth quake. It is very wonderful to see that even through tragedy, we as human beings can come together regardless of beliefs and ideologies.... ~:)

This thread should be closed. There may be good will around the world for this effort, but there is zero here in the Tavern. Lets just keep sniping at each other and show the true nature of man. :furious3:

A challenge ~:)

I came across the following series of pictures on CNN:

CNN At the main story go to the gallery link "Angels of the storm" (sorry, I don't know how to link to this directly)

I think a lot of these show that amidst the perceived failure of bureaucrats there are a lot of people "on the ground" who show the right spirit and do what they can and even beyond that to help their fellow citizens.

And Michael Brown is gone...

HUZZAH ~:cheers: ~:cheers: ~:cheers: HUZZZAH YEEHAW ~:cheers: ~:cheers: ~:cheers: