Help tracking foreign aid to US Katrina victims

[Husky23]

Say…I’m having more trouble than I thought finding and tracking any foreign assistance; monetary, humanitarian, or logistical at all.

I see Venezuela’s little game play.
www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N31407523.htm

And found BP donating $1 million dollars. Although not verified
www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,1280,-5245983,00.html

I’d like to run a tracking log, so if you folks stumble across anything we can tally up.

My guess is, as always, more verbal and paper condolences than anything real. Always on our own.

[jaber1]

news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050831/ap_on_re_eu/hurricane_katrina_world_hk4

Katrina Prompts Global Support for Victims

Written by a European journalist with contributions from others it highlights several things:

- that Europeans, including those who suffered deaths of relatives and known ones from flooding a mere matter of days ago, 'feel' for the misfortune of those affected by this disaster, and have badgered - seemingly without success - the U.S. Embassy in Bern [and probably others] for an account number into which contributions may be made.

- that European leaders, regardless of differences with the U.S. Administration, are sufficiently human to express their sympathies.

- that extremists named the hurricane 'Private' Katrina; naysayers expressed doubt about why the U.S. would want, or even ask for, assistance, while others expressed views that U.S. reaped its own whirlwind in respect of global warming.

- non-Europeans [Venezuela, Saudi, Canada] have also offered assistance in various forms.

While I also 'feel' for the victims, I am also reminded that while the refugees from New Orleans and surrounding areas may have to suffer relatively squalid living conditions for some 30 days [by some estimates up to 90 days], several million Palestinian refugees have been living in similarly wretched squalor for some 30 YEARS and not because of any 'natural' disaster.

[Husky23]

www.usatoday.com/money/companies/2005-08-31-katrina-aid-usat_x.htm


“As the hurricane toll rises, U.S. businesses showing their altruism likely will have pledged more than $100 million in disaster aid by the end of this week, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce said Wednesday.”

“It's hard to know whether corporate donations for Hurricane Katrina relief ultimately will equal other efforts. Corporations gave a record $750 million to Sept. 11-related charities, Jordan says, and $565 million after last December's tsunami in Asia.”

www.marketwatch.com/news/story.asp?guid=%7BFF95549F-AA75-447C-9B31-9E99CAF443C2%7D&siteid=google

A slew of companies this week began pledging the millions of dollars in assistance after Katrina crushed the Gulf Coast region, leaving cities like New Orleans and Biloxi, Miss. devastated and thousands homeless.
"The outpouring has just been amazing," America Red Cross spokesman Joshua Kittner said. So far, the relief agency has raised at least $71.6 million in funds from both individual and corporate donors, he said.
In total, at least $93 million in donations had poured in to help pay for relief efforts already during the first four days following the disaster, the Chronicle of Philanthropy reported Thursday afternoon.
Kittner, of the Red Cross, was unable to immediately provide statistics comparing current relief-effort donations to past disasters, but said the outpouring in response to Katrina has been "quite substantial."
The corporate response was widespread, with companies from virtually every corner of the corporate world -- from big oil firms to retailers to pharmaceutical, technology and financial concerns - offering aid.
The list of donors is extensive and certain to continue growing.
Just some of the numerous companies opening their coffers to relief organizations, like the American Red Cross, Salvation Army and others, to aid those hit by Katrina's devastation and some of their contributions include:



• Abbott Laboratories (ABT: news, chart, profile) has pledged $2 million in cash, as well as an initial $2 million in nutritional and medical products to aid those struck by Katrina.
• A.G. Edwards, Inc. (AGE: news, chart, profile) is donating $100,000 along with individual employee contributions to support rescue, relief and recovery efforts.
• Allstate Corp. (ALL: news, chart, profile) is establishing a $1 million aid fund and will match donations by its agents and staff with no limit.
• Anheuser Busch Cos. (BUD: news, chart, profile) and its wholesalers have shipped over 825,000 cans of safe drinking water. It's also donating $250,000.
• AztraZeneca PLC (AZN: news, chart, profile) has pledged to provide $1 million in cash as well as free medicine, while matching its employee contributions made by U.S. staff the Red Cross.
• Bayer Corp. (BAYZF: news, chart, profile) has pledged $2 million in cash and product donations. Bayer is also matching donations made by its U.S. staff.
• BP PLC (BP: news, chart, profile) is donating $1 million and said it would match contributions to disaster relief made by its employees.
• Canon Inc. (CAJ: news, chart, profile) is donating $1 million outright and will match amounts donated by employees.
• Chevron Corp. (CVX: news, chart, profile) said it would donate $3 million to the Red Cross, with a further $2 million directly going to local charities and relief efforts near the oil company's businesses in the affected areas. The Red Cross spokesman said Chevron's donation marked its largest gift so far.
• Cisco Systems Inc. (CSCO: news, chart, profile) expects to donate over $3 million through a $1 million corporate contribution and employee matching.
• Comcast Corp. (CMCSA: news, chart, profile) is donating $10 million worth of advertising time and $50,000 cash. The cable company also plans to dedicate On-Demand programming during September to air Red Cross updates, benefit concerts and other information related to relief efforts.
• Continental Airlines Inc. (CAL: news, chart, profile) said it will donate 1,000 airline tickets to help relocate residents of the region impacted by Katrina. The tickets will be approved and arranged through a relief organization.
• Dow Jones & Co. (DJ: news, chart, profile) will donate $125,000 and match employee contributions up to $375,000, in total a combined potential amount of $500,000. Dow Jones is the publisher of The Wall Street Journal and MarketWatch.
• Exelon Corp. (EXC: news, chart, profile) and its ComEd and PECO units committed $1 million by donating $500,000 in cash and matching employee donations up to $250,000. The company is also sending utility experts to the region to help power restoration efforts.
• Exxon Mobil Corp. (XOM: news, chart, profile) said it would contribute over $7 million to relief efforts, $2 million of which will be given directly to the Red Cross. The company will also donate things like fuel.
• Freddie Mac (FRE: news, chart, profile) pledged a donation of $10 million to help support the relief efforts. Freddie Mac will match employee contributions and double the match for donations to agencies providing shelter to Katrina's victims. Additionally, the mortgage finance company has asked its mortgage servicers to extend payment relief to borrowers in the affected areas whose homes were damaged or destroyed.
• HCA Inc. (HCA: news, chart, profile) said it would donate $1 million on top of the $1 million pledged for relief to its employees in the region.
• Home Depot (HD: news, chart, profile) will donate $1.5 million, it said.
• Honeywell International Inc. (HON: news, chart, profile) has pledged up to $500,000, initially targeted its employees affected by the disaster. Honeywell will also underwrite some rebuilding projects.
• Intel Corp. (INTC: news, chart, profile) announced it would donate $1 million and will match employee contributions made during September.
• Kimberly-Clark Corp. (KMB: news, chart, profile) said it would contribute $250,000 in cash and $350,000 worth of products for things like personal hygiene.
• Liberty Media Corp.'s (L: news, chart, profile) QVC shopping network has pledged to raise $3 million, matching donated sales by its participating vendors over the next seven days. QVC will also match employee donations.
• Marathon Oil Corp. (MRO: news, chart, profile) will contribute $1.5 million and will match contributions by its staff to the Red Cross.
• Microsoft Corp. (MSFT: news, chart, profile) has pledged an initial $1 million to help in the aid efforts. The world's biggest software company has sent several leading technology experts to help the Red Cross with technology needs. Microsoft will also make available three buses equipped with technology like high-end satellite equipment for use in remote areas.
• Oracle Corp. (ORCL: news, chart, profile) will match contributions made by its U.S. staff to relief efforts. It also pledged to help with any technical assistance related to recovery and relief in the region.
• Pfizer Inc. (PFE: news, chart, profile) has committed $2 million in donations, along with medicine, consumer and animal health products.
• Royal Bank of Canada (RY: news, chart, profile) and its units have pledged $250,000, made up of a $125,000 corporate gift and matching of individual donations up to a further $125,000.
• SBC Communications Inc. (SBC: news, chart, profile) said it began deploying an extensive network of communications services at the Houston Astrodome to help victims being relocated from the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans. SBC plans to make available up to 1,000 telephones with free local and long distance calling, free wireless service and computers for high-speed Internet access.
• Sears Holdings Corp. (SHLD: news, chart, profile) will match customer donations up to $500,000 for a potential total contribution of $1 million.
• Toyota Motor Corp. (TM: news, chart, profile) and its subsidiaries will contribute $5 million. Toyota Financial Services and Lexus Financial Services will assist finance and lease customers affected by Hurricane Katrina.
• Tyson Foods Inc. (TSN: news, chart, profile) said it will donate up to $1 million in food and financial aid. Tyson is also providing food and a mobile kitchen.
• Unilever (UL: news, chart, profile) (UN: news, chart, profile) pledged more than $2.6 million to help the storm's victims with personal care and food. The company also said it would donate $1 million in cash.
• Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (WMT: news, chart, profile) said it donated $1 million in cash to the American Red Cross as well as $1 million to the Salvation Army. The world's biggest retailer is also sending truckloads of water, batteries and emergency medical kits to Baton Rouge, La. Wal-Mart is also accepting donations at all 3,800 of its Wal-Mart and Sam's Club stores and through its Web sites.
• Walt Disney Co. (DIS: news, chart, profile) will make a corporate donation of $2.5 million. Of Disney's contribution, $1 million will go directly to the Red Cross, with $1 million earmarked for rebuilding efforts aimed at children's charities and $500,000 going to volunteer centers.
• Wells Fargo & Co. (WFC: news, chart, profile) will match contributions from its employees, up to $250,000 for a potential total of $1 million.

[Husky23]

Jerome,

Dammit! Stop with the globally political comparisons. It’s below your normal threshold of courtesy and disingenuous to say the least. This is a natural disaster.

Shit happens.

[LorSpi]

The USG is advising its embassies to provide a list of items to governments offering assistance. Top on that list - cash. The rest is practical stuff - MREs, tents, etc. What's interesting - it includes forklifts.

Australia will give over $7 million to the American Red Cross. The Japanese have turned out to be real pickers.

Mexico is advising its illegal to grab everything they can and NOT come back no matter what happens.

[jaber1]

husky23 said:

Jerome,

Dammit! Stop with the globally political comparisons. It’s below your normal threshold of courtesy and disingenuous to say the least. This is a natural disaster.

Shit happens.

Maestro - you brought my disingenuity upon yourself!

QUOTE:
"My guess is, as always, more verbal and paper condolences than anything real. Always on our own."

Really?
1 - Venezuela - the very first country that I heard to make an offer - dismissed out of hand.
2 - Cuba [1,100 medicos and 26 tons of supplies a mere 90 miles away] dismissed out of hand.
3 - U.S. Embassies in Europe turning down offers of cash and kind from citizens of EU countries.
4 - Japan: suggested by BoOR this morning that they keep their $1-million as being too ridiculous to accept.

My aside on the Palestinians was something for you to bear in mind as the extent of this catastrophe reveals itself - not for immediate consumption. I tried to make that clear with the 30- and 90-day references.

I see already some reaction from Texans facing the possibility of having refugees, evacuees, displaced persons or whatever 'politically correct flavour of the day' you choose to use, right in their midst with the spectre of future crime such as that witnessed in and around New Orleans, and the possible backlash response that that will invoke.

BUT - you are right. Your so-called leaders at all levels have more than enough domestic political ducking, diving and spinning to do after such a pathetic response.

Similarly, if the breed of citizen in the affected area would rather shoot policemen than accept their help then screw them!
I would have shot back and emptied the magazine!

[LorSpi]

Really?
1 - Venezuela - the very first country that I heard to make an offer - dismissed out of hand.
2 - Cuba [1,100 medicos and 26 tons of supplies a mere 90 miles away] dismissed out of hand.
3 - U.S. Embassies in Europe turning down offers of cash and kind from citizens of EU countries.
4 - Japan: suggested by BoOR this morning that they keep their $1-million as being too ridiculous to accept.

Venezuela and Cuba both offered troops. Shall we discuss their human rights records?

Cuba made an offer of doctors - the US has plenty of board certified doctors. How many board certified Cuban doctors? They cannot practice medicine in the US without that certification in the state where they plan to practice. You see the AMA blowing off that requirement? Try the "get real" category.

The US Embassy cannot accept cash. This is NOT what the US embassy does. If folks want to contribute, they shoudl do so through an existing organization. The American Red Cross, Salvation Army. Catholic Relief Services. PLENTY of organizations. Embassies DO NOT have the infrastructure to accept money in this fashion. Nor do they accept old clothes. Nor do they act as a post office and accept mail. Nor do they accept folks seeking asylum. No do they buy return tickets for stranded travellers.

Japan made it to $1 million? Last I saw it was a whooping $250,000. The second largest economy in the world - and that way because the US did NOT do unto it as it did unto its neighbors - PIKERS!

Americans have opened their hearts, doors and pockets. There are more places than people to fill them at this point.

[jaber1]

lorspi said:

Really?
1 - Venezuela - the very first country that I heard to make an offer - dismissed out of hand.
2 - Cuba [1,100 medicos and 26 tons of supplies a mere 90 miles away] dismissed out of hand.
3 - U.S. Embassies in Europe turning down offers of cash and kind from citizens of EU countries.
4 - Japan: suggested by BoOR this morning that they keep their $1-million as being too ridiculous to accept.

Venezuela and Cuba both offered troops. Shall we discuss their human rights records?

Cuba made an offer of doctors - the US has plenty of board certified doctors. How many board certified Cuban doctors? They cannot practice medicine in the US without that certification in the state where they plan to practice. You see the AMA blowing off that requirement? Try the "get real" category.

The US Embassy cannot accept cash. This is NOT what the US embassy does. If folks want to contribute, they shoudl do so through an existing organization. The American Red Cross, Salvation Army. Catholic Relief Services. PLENTY of organizations. Embassies DO NOT have the infrastructure to accept money in this fashion. Nor do they accept old clothes. Nor do they act as a post office and accept mail. Nor do they accept folks seeking asylum. No do they buy return tickets for stranded travellers.

Japan made it to $1 million? Last I saw it was a whooping $250,000. The second largest economy in the world - and that way because the US did NOT do unto it as it did unto its neighbors - PIKERS!

Americans have opened their hearts, doors and pockets. There are more places than people to fill them at this point.

You still seem to have difficulty with reading.
Don't say that 'America stands alone' like some Martyr-wannabe when immediate offers of real help had been made and dismissed out of hand.

Medicos and supplies could have been on-site within 24-hours, but of course no $500-per-hour quacks with a piece of AMA paper would be on hand to guide them - they all ran away in their Mercedes, Beamers and SUVs days before.
Also, if others who really wanted to help for free had been let in then the AMA-ites would not be able to submit inflated claims for their share of the $10-billion gravy train.

Embassies were requested to provide INFORMATION as to where donations could be made. Instead of saying what you did, it was reported that they simply turned people away.

As for the Japanese, they are what the U.S. made them.

"... at this point." - Yeah, sure - a week later. I was talking about "The Day After".

[LorSpi]

jaber1 said:

lorspi said:

Venezuela and Cuba both offered troops. Shall we discuss their human rights records?

Cuba made an offer of doctors - the US has plenty of board certified doctors. How many board certified Cuban doctors? They cannot practice medicine in the US without that certification in the state where they plan to practice. You see the AMA blowing off that requirement? Try the "get real" category.

The US Embassy cannot accept cash. This is NOT what the US embassy does. If folks want to contribute, they should do so through an existing organization. The American Red Cross, Salvation Army. Catholic Relief Services. PLENTY of organizations. Embassies DO NOT have the infrastructure to accept money in this fashion. Nor do they accept old clothes. Nor do they act as a post office and accept mail. Nor do they accept folks seeking asylum. No do they buy return tickets for stranded travelers.

Japan made it to $1 million? Last I saw it was a whooping $250,000. The second largest economy in the world - and that way because the US did NOT do unto it as it did unto its neighbors - PIKERS!

Americans have opened their hearts, doors and pockets. There are more places than people to fill them at this point.

You still seem to have difficulty with reading.
Don't say that 'America stands alone' like some Martyr-wannabe when immediate offers of real help had been made and dismissed out of hand.

Medicos and supplies could have been on-site within 24-hours, but of course no $500-per-hour quacks with a piece of AMA paper would be on hand to guide them - they all ran away in their Mercedes, Beamers and SUVs days before.
Also, if others who really wanted to help for free had been let in then the AMA-ites would not be able to submit inflated claims for their share of the $10-billion gravy train.

Embassies were requested to provide INFORMATION as to where donations could be made. Instead of saying what you did, it was reported that they simply turned people away.

As for the Japanese, they are what the U.S. made them.

"... at this point." - Yeah, sure - a week later. I was talking about "The Day After".

There have been plenty of doctors there from the very beginning. There was a shortage of supplies because distribution broke down as the category 5 hurricane and wiped out power, communications and transportation.

Just WHICH COUNTRY would have gotten medical supplies there in 24 hours? Name them! Europe watched 15,000 people die while it vacationed. Mexico? Canada? Hell - the Canadians kept as far away as possible. And the only thing they managed to send was BY SHIP! Just who?

There was a pissing contest going on between local officials that resulted in a delay of deployment of federal assistance. Federal assistance is designed to be initially directed in by local officials. Louisiana officials screwed the pooch bad on this one. The problem will be dealt with - but I suspect 40 other states do not want their powers curtailed because of the incompetence of one. No similar problems reported in Mississippi which took a direct hit from Katrina.

You seem to have a problem with the American health system. American doctors did NOT remain on vacation - as did European doctors during that heat wave in Europe where 15,000 people died because of lack of care. New Orleans was about access. Plenty of medical personnel. Unlike in Europe.

Venezuela is still talking about what it's going to do. Meanwhile - at the scene - folks were long ago evacuated and forced evacuations are being carried out. Plenty of food, medicine, personnel, shelter. Even pets have been evacuated, have plenty of shelter, volunteers taking care of them, food, veterinarians and web sites.

BTW - let me know when Chavez or Castro actually do something instead of just talk about what they are going to do.

The US did not "make" the Japanese who they are. You are thinking about the Russians and their "new communist man". It was the Serbs that gave Europe its latest mass graves, now wasn't it? Russia was responsible for preventing the UN from stopping the Serbs - their "brothers".

The Embassies did provide information. They all have Information Officers - who provided plenty of information. Hell - there were fact sheets with names and phone numbers available BEFORE Katrine. However US Embassies do NOT accept cash, nor clothes, nor mail nor house pets.

BTW - which country were folks unable to google American Red Cross and come up with information?

The day after - there were plenty of rescuers workers on the ground. There was no no coordination between them and federal assistance. But - please be assured - there were far more personnel - and supplies, shelters, etc - available than say during that heat wave in Europe where 15,000 folks died OVER WEEKS while government officials, doctors and families remained on vacation.

Quacks? Shall we discuss Cuban treatment of AIDS? It's called a prison cell to keep the patient "isolated" from "society".