Foreign help

Complementing Chris's post, here's the latest I've found on foreign countries offering to help the USA:


State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said earlier on Wednesday 10 to 12 foreign governments have offered general assistance to the United States to deal with the hurricane aftermath but no decision had been made about how these offers might be used.

Via Arthur, some continue unmoved

Islamic extremists rejoiced in America's misfortune, giving the storm a military rank and declaring in Internet chatter that "Private" Katrina had joined the global jihad, or holy war. With "God's help," they declared, oil prices would hit $100 a barrel this year.

Chávez, after offering help to the USA yesterday, reversed to character and went back to insulting Pres. Bush,

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, a vocal critic of the U.S. government, on Wednesday called U.S. President George W. Bush a "cowboy" who had failed to manage the Hurricane Katrina disaster and evacuate victims.

I expect some GWB-haters to be repeating Chávez's script instead of doing something constructive. I would, however, have no problem having Chávez fill-up the strategic oil reserves on his dime.

Fortunately, the rest of the world is responding:

"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.

From Germany

German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder offered aid and assistance, saying he had called on several ministries to come up with a detailed list of what kind of aid they could provide.

Japan, which is under hurricane warning right now, has also offered aid. Saudi Arabia, Canada, Russia and Britain

informed President Bush and the governors of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama that they are ready to help with whatever is necessary

Australia has offered to send two specialist emergency managers to the US in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.

Last but not least, France May Mobilize Relief From Caribbean

Bloggers: Hurricane Katrina: Blog Relief Day Begins at NZ Bear. My charities of choice are the The Salvation Army 1-800-SAL-ARMY and the American Red Cross 1-800-HELP-NOW. While the American Red Cross so far has raised an amount comparable to the response for tsunami victims following the devastation in Asia earlier this year, the devastation is vast, and hurricane season doesn't end for another two months.