Asian quake, wave toll hits 1,000

[Namelessv1]

Tidal waves hit Sri Lanka, Thailand

Sunday, December 26, 2004 Posted: 4:33 AM EST (0933 GMT)

(CNN) -- More than 1,000 people are feared dead after the largest earthquake to shake the world in nearly 40 years jolted Southeast Asia Sunday morning.

[apollos]

ouch poor people

[hgnis]

Yeah, I just saw this this morning. I'm accustomed to hearing about 6's not 8+ which is why I'm still in in disbelief.

[ertmann|CPH]

death toll is up to 4000.

Im really in total disbelief, i've visited those places serveral times, latest little more than a year ago...

Weird looking at those places where i've been eating my bloody breakfast in Phuket and Phi Phi, been blasted beyond recognition....

[Schmeet]

The current death toll now is over 7000 (BBC News statistic).

[mysterious_w]

Saw this on BBC news, it was 8.9 on the richter scale, which makes it the most powerful for 40 years. It has had a total of 9 aftershocks so far, and 10,000 British tourists are believed to be in the danger zone. Sad day.

[SSJ4 Gogitta]

Over 10,000 dead so far.

[billyvnilly]

11,800...still climbing very sad day.

[henry3k56]

http://www.iris.edu/seismon/

Its still an active earthquake zone. Several earthquakes are still ocurring.

(Small plug, my college is part of the Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology.)

[Starbucks]

OMFG just learned that the death toll is now 13,000+.

.......

[shakey_snake]

Wow.

[Mattress]

Pretty crazy, tsunami's hit india, and africa!

[deeder7001]

i've only heard about this a few hours ago. wow is all i can say.

[billyvnilly]

my friend is on the southern coast[dont know where] of india right now...hope hes alright.


toll is up to 13,000+

[MegaRock]

Just heard on the 4:30 am news 20,000+.

Knowing what we went through here on 9-11 with the loss of 5,000 this is almost unimaginable.

[Dark3n]

I live in Malaysia.... So far 52 deaths confirmed... more to come...

more aftershockes expected... means more tsunamis comin...
thank god i live in the city...

[sidd]

wikipedia as usual, has a very in depth article on it.

There are some amature photographs of the disaster here.

Pretty devestating. My Dad only just got back from thailand, and my friend just got back from india. Was anyone here within the tremor zones?

[Dark3n]

gosh... the tv should be cencored... the visuals r just so bloody wrong...

[grumpyBB]

How much do you want to bet that all their anti-Americanism subsides for a while as we give them aid? I'm certain that we'll be using our C-130's and other planes to deliver supplies and food. Now lets wait and see what the UN, French, Germans and other countries do in comparison.

[Mr Jones]

Originally posted by grumpyBB
How much do you want to bet that all their anti-Americanism subsides for a while as we give them aid? I'm certain that we'll be using our C-130's and other planes to deliver supplies and food. Now lets wait and see what the UN, French, Germans and other countries do in comparison.

America is not the only humanitarian country in the world.


# The International Monetary Fund promised "whatever possible assistance"
# The Red Cross launched an appeal for 5m euros (£3.5m; $6.8m)
# The European Union pledged 3m euros (£2.1m; $4.1m)
# Australia promised $10m (£4m; $7.7m) and sent two planes carrying drinking water and purification equipment to Indonesia
# Russia sent 25 tons of humanitarian aid to Sri Lanka
# The UK is sending a plane to Sri Lanka with plastic sheeting and tenting
# France will send humanitarian aid and doctors to Sri Lanka and Thailand.

[grumpyBB]

Originally posted by Mr Jones
America is not the only humanitarian country in the world.


# The International Monetary Fund promised "whatever possible assistance"
# The Red Cross launched an appeal for 5m euros (£3.5m; $6.8m)
# The European Union pledged 3m euros (£2.1m; $4.1m)
# Australia promised $10m (£4m; $7.7m) and sent two planes carrying drinking water and purification equipment to Indonesia
# Russia sent 25 tons of humanitarian aid to Sri Lanka
# The UK is sending a plane to Sri Lanka with plastic sheeting and tenting
# France will send humanitarian aid and doctors to Sri Lanka and Thailand.

And all of that isn't going to be dick compared to what we'll be delivering, like usual.

The EU promised $10 million? Hell, I bet we'll spend that much on fuel for the planes alone.

Russia sent 25 tons of aid? Again, that isn't squat. That's what, one plane full?

Like ususal, the rest of the world loves to bash the U.S. until something like this happens and then they can't get enough of us. And again, like usual, we'll be the ones pulling the weight on this operation.

[Namelessv1]

Monday, December 27, 2004 Posted: 1:05 PM EST (1805 GMT)

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The United States dispatched disaster teams Monday and prepared a $15 million aid package to the Asian countries hit by a massive earthquake and tsunamis.

[zootm]

Worth noting that Australia's aid was deemed an "initial" package, it sounded like they were going to send more. They're closer to that area than most other richer countries, and were useful for front-line support.

Note that the EU pledge is on top of whatever individual EU countries (I see France there, for a start) provide.

Besides, are these countries well-known for being "anti-American"? They're certainly not the first countries that come to my mind...

[Mr Jones]

Originally posted by grumpyBB
And all of that isn't going to be dick compared to what we'll be delivering, like usual.

The EU promised $10 million? Hell, I bet we'll spend that much on fuel for the planes alone.

Russia sent 25 tons of aid? Again, that isn't squat. That's what, one plane full?

Like ususal, the rest of the world loves to bash the U.S. until something like this happens and then they can't get enough of us. And again, like usual, we'll be the ones pulling the weight on this operation.

You misguided individual, you have my pitty.

Stop believing your own hyperbole and start looking at what is really happening in the world.

[NJK]

Originally posted by grumpyBB

Like ususal, the rest of the world loves to bash the U.S. until something like this happens and then they can't get enough of us. And again, like usual, we'll be the ones pulling the weight on this operation.

for a small country like the Netherlands we sure are pulling our weight in this.

-$ 3 million
-send special teams to help the locals to identify the bodies
-the planes that go to the countries to pick up the tourist that are there take on this run towards the countries as much first aid things with them as they can.

and besides that Grumpy who cares who pulls his/her weight here, all that matters is that these people who have lost everything and lost loved ones should get all the help they can.
got nothing to do with politics but with mankind.

[henry3k56]

When it is a major world disaster, especially when pictures of the mess are available, everyone around the world pitches in, not mainly the United States.
The US doesn't want blow away in the millions the other aid that is being offered from other countries, they are doing this to try to restore good international relations with other countries, along with the humanitarian effort to prevent more disaster to occur.

Remember, other countries love Americans, but hate our government.

[ertmann|CPH]

Foreign Aid

EU: 36,825 mio USD
US: 15,791 mio USD
JP: 8,911 mio USD
Source: OECD, 2003 statistics

Anyway, george, if you're interrested i went to the CIA world factbook and checked the economic aid (ODA) and GDP columns of some selected countries, and did a percentage calculation by hand....

Japan
ODA, $9.1 billion (1999) (1999)
of total GDP $3.55 trillion
Rough percentage 2.5% of GDP

Denmark
ODA, $1.63 billion (1999)
of total GDP $155.5 billion
Rough percentage 1.06% of GDP

France
ODA, $6.3 billion (1997) (1997)
of total GDP $1.54 trillion
Rough percentage 0.40% of GDP

United Kingdom
ODA, $4.5 billion (2000)
of total GDP $1.52 trillion
Rough percentage 0.29% of GDP

Germany
ODA, $5.6 billion (1998)
of total GDP $2.184 trillion
Rough percentage 0.26% of GDP

Australia
ODA, $894 million (FY99/00)
of total GDP $528 billion
Rough pecentage 0.16% of GDP

Canada
ODA, $1.3 billion (1999) (1999)
of total GDP $923 billion
Rough percentage 0.14% of GDP

US
ODA, $6.9 billion (1997) (1997)
of total GDP $10.082 trillion
Rough percentage 0.068% of GDP

Yay grumpy - you rule! my hero!

/Edit damn.... i miss CuriousGeorge, Xerxes and Papadoc - at least they had some brains, and were fun to discuss with

[Schmeet]

Wooahh... most recent figures is 50,000+. Apparently, Sri-Lanka aren't counting the dead in their country because there are just too many.

[ertmann|CPH]

Originally posted by Schmeet
Wooahh... most recent figures is 50,000+. Apparently, Sri-Lanka aren't counting the dead in their country because there are just too many.

we still only have a 23000 figure, I sincerely hope the numbers won't go that high...

13 of my countrymen missing, 3 confirmed dead - this surely is getting an international tragedy aswell...

[siebe83]

I heard there are thoughts about setting up some warning system for ocean earthquakes. I hope that will warn people more quick in the future, though some things are pretty hard to foresee...
Misery...

Originally posted by grumpyBB
[...]

Thanks for your great contribution to this thread.

[ertmann|CPH]

Originally posted by siebe83
I heard there are thoughts about setting up some warning system for ocean earthquakes. I hope that will warn people more quick in the future, though some things are pretty hard to foresee...
Misery...

Unfortunantly Sri Lanka and Maldives, don't have the infrastucture to take advantage of such a system, and they're the countries that needs them the most...

[siebe83]

Originally posted by ertmann|CPH
Unfortunantly Sri Lanka and Maldives, don't have the infrastucture to take advantage of such a system, and they're the countries that needs them the most...

True...
Maybe such a system would alert authorities more early, but if they don't have the means to warn the local people then that's a bit moot. But perhaps the international community would be able to undertake action sooner. Probably only after the tragedy took place providing help, but still...

[ShyShy]

The stories are just awful I mean, half of a village's population were children, and most of those were killed in the waves. One mother can't find any of her 11 children. An aide worker believes that this could undermine a whole generation of Asians, as close to half of the dead were children, and now with fears of diseases rising from the aftermath, even more children are at risk.

[Dark3n]

It’s just so like you typical ignorant Americans… You just have to make everything political and a competition…like…. Wake up!!!!!!!!! This is an international disaster it’s not a shitcake competition!!! Right now, the morning papers just reported a total death of 23,750 HUMANS… and according to the recent update, the ppl in my country dead from the tsunami increased from 52 to 63 and this excludes those dead overseas in Thailand and Indonesia. If you think by taking you fucking money means we owe you something then I think Malaysia can very well stand for itself… personally, if I’d rather take assistance from the EU and Japan rather than you if you ppl have a ‘hidden agenda’…. Like what henry3k56 said, we don’t hate America or Americans for anything… not even the government we just don’t agree with your government … But then again… with comments like that it’ll make anyone reconsider… thank goodness small-minded egomaniacs like you aren’t so common let’s just hope you don’t go running for president…

[Dark3n]

Originally posted by grumpyBB
How much do you want to bet that all their anti-Americanism subsides for a while as we give them aid? I'm certain that we'll be using our C-130's and other planes to deliver supplies and food. Now lets wait and see what the UN, French, Germans and other countries do in comparison.

And all of that isn't going to be dick compared to what we'll be delivering, like usual.

I forgot to qoute him for my comment above........

[Mattress]

GrumpyBB doesn't represent or speak for all americans so please try to refrain from insulting all americans because of his stupid comments.

[henry3k56]

Dark3n has a point, its not about the more monetary support one country gives in competition to another, its actually the thought of watching out for each other's back in time of crisis and need.

[sidd]

Just maybe, this isnt the right thread for anti-US vs. anti-anti-US flamewares.

The figures clearly show that the United States are helping out, they also clearly show that many other countries are providing significant aid. If you are worried that they have "hidden agendas", then start a new thread about it, but in the bitchlist.

If you are going to get antagonized by something like grumpyBB's trolling, then you are an easy target.

[Dark3n]

Originally posted by Mattress
GrumpyBB doesn't represent or speak for all americans so please try to refrain from insulting all americans because of his stupid comments.

No worries... i have plenty of friends in the US... it's not to all... only people who have mentality like him...

Dark3n has a point, its not about the more monetary support one country gives in competition to another, its actually the thought of watching out for each other's back in time of crisis and need.

bingo-ish...

If you are going to get antagonized by something like grumpyBB's trolling, then you are an easy target.

You gotta be kidding me... antagonized?? i'd rather save that energy to fund other emotions...anyhow, someone's gotta set this guy straight...

[billyvnilly]

maybe its just because it was american soil, but remember how much coverage 9/11 got? compared to this disaster (what, about 10X worse!) its hardly getting covered, in context to 9/11. my parents didnt even know it happended till the next day.


thats very low to try and boast about the amount of humanitarian aid a country is or isnt sending.