In the 2000s, there have been two HUGE international natural disasters that the United States has sent aid for and one that, as far as I know, we have not really helped much. The first of the two the United States has spent millions in aid for is the tsunami in 2004. This disaster was caused by a whopping 9.3 magnitude earthquake that sent a wall of water crashing down on countries in the Indian Ocean. This disaster caused around 184,167 deaths, 125,000 injuries, about 45,725 people to go missing, and around 1.69 million people were displaced. By the new year the United States planned to spend around $350 million. The second disaster was the earthquake in Haiti. This was a 7.0 magnitude quake and killed between 45,000 - 200,000 people, and left about 1.5 million people in search of homes. The United States plans to spend between $100 million and $550 million in relief efforts. The 8.8 magnitude quake in Chile is one that killed at least 400 people and left more than 500,000 families homeless. However, all of that said, the United States has sent little in terms of relief.
This makes me think that the only reason our country would help any other country in need for four reasons:
What are your thoughts? What do you think makes a natural disaster bad enough to deserve the United State's aid? I understand we only have so much money but as of now more than $704 billion dollars as been spend on the war in Iraq. Hmm, I see where our countries priorities lie. If you have any other thoughts as well, post them. I want to see what other people think, because I think it is crazy.
Ciao!