From the ends of the earth
Posted: Fri 04/11/2005 09:57
In the news lately is the fact that a lot of people are facing death this winter as the weather closes in on the survivors of the Pakistan earthquake.
As is the wont of asian politicians everywhere, the response of the Pakistani government was appalling. It has been imputed that there is some sort of lethargy concerning the donations offered to these people.
I wonder how true that really is. Given that after another appeal was made, the county in which I live raised nearly half a million pounds and that in England, Wales and Scotland there are some 80 plus counties (and the situation may well be mirrored over the rest of Europe, North America and Australasia) it seems unlikely that the money already given has been spent wisely.
If I heard correctly there are about as many survivors at risk as there were victims i.e. 50 to 60 thousand. Let's say that the UK has just given £40 million. OK some counties are considerably less affluent than mine, £20 million. And some countries so too.
But there has to be some 10 or 20 thousand quid in the pot for each man woman and child. What is to become of it?
If every survivor isn't catered for handsomely, will there be an accounting made? I doubt it somehow.
As is the wont of asian politicians everywhere, the response of the Pakistani government was appalling. It has been imputed that there is some sort of lethargy concerning the donations offered to these people.
I wonder how true that really is. Given that after another appeal was made, the county in which I live raised nearly half a million pounds and that in England, Wales and Scotland there are some 80 plus counties (and the situation may well be mirrored over the rest of Europe, North America and Australasia) it seems unlikely that the money already given has been spent wisely.
If I heard correctly there are about as many survivors at risk as there were victims i.e. 50 to 60 thousand. Let's say that the UK has just given £40 million. OK some counties are considerably less affluent than mine, £20 million. And some countries so too.
But there has to be some 10 or 20 thousand quid in the pot for each man woman and child. What is to become of it?
If every survivor isn't catered for handsomely, will there be an accounting made? I doubt it somehow.
