The politics of disaster relief...or who can be more petty?

After the Boxing Day Tsunami disaster/tragedy/act of God/act of nature/etc., relief is being delivered to the various affected areas. It is very comforting to see so many countries willing to donate money, goods and volunteers to people who had little to begin with and now have nothing because it was washed away by the raging waters.

However, it would seem that even in disaster relief, we need to play games of one-upmanship, as seen HERE. I guess if this is what it takes to persuade countries to provide more relief than they were willing to originally, then I guess there's nothing really bad in and of itself. But at the same time, it's so petty to see these exchanges between the French and US representatives. Therefore, they win the no-prize of the week.

On a sidenote, as all these countries are pouring in to help Southeast Asia, it makes me wonder why there hasn't been the same outpouring for the crisis in Darfur. An act of nature brings out the best in people. An act of human politics brings out....hand-wringing and hesitation. I realize the complexities of the Darfur situation, but I still one can't help but wonder the vast difference in response. Maybe I've become one of those "but people are dying" people in this situation...

Well, so ends the year of 2004. I hope that in the year 2005, human society will be a bit better: a bit more compassionate, a bit more tolerant, a bit less violent. I know we can't make leaps and bounds. So let's take those few steps that we can. Peace and happiness to you all.