Earlier today I predicted that embarrassed by their own people, the governments of the world would give more to tsunami relief. Indeed they already are. Sweden was reported as increasing giving first, and just a few minutes ago big increases in government giving were reported. I am sure that the US will follow suit. But lets not turn this into some kind of adolescent male testosterone-fuelled contest. The people need as much aid as they can get. (On second thoughts competing to see who can give the most might not be such a bad thing!)
PARIS ? One-upping the United States, France nearly doubled its aid pledge for tsunami victims to $57 million Thursday and briefly claimed the role as leading donor nation, following barbs from Washington about French generosity.
But Britain quickly topped France by more than tripling its donation to $95 million and Sweden promised $75.5 million. Spain’s Cabinet, meanwhile, approved a $68 million package, although about a fifth was in loans rather than outright grants.
Meanwhile netcitizens continue to excel in generosity having given almost $5.5million on the Amazon Red Cross relief fund-raising page alone.
Update
Less than four hours later the Amazon fund stands at 6.1million and rising……
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