It’s 1:40PM and I just woke up from a long night to see that the tsunami death toll has risen once more to a scary 135.000. So I do some research to see how much money governments are pledging. I was expecting the amounts to be in the billions, yet they don’t even come close. It wasn’t surprising to see that the US donates less in aid than it does to war, but other countries have failed to pledge in donations what is required to rebuild those 12 countries that are involved in the disaster.

The Netherlands, one of the smallest countries in the world is donating more than one of the largest growing economies in the world, the US.

The amounts listed above may sound much, but consider the following: The US donating $35m to help 12 countries for a disaster that killed 135.000 and leaving millions homeless, while spending $5 billion per month in Iraq on killing people daily. The inauguration parties Bush is planning for in January will cost around $40m.

But, who cares? It’s just brown people, right?

In related news Linkin Park donate tsunami funds.
“We are fortunate to be in a position to help, but this needs to be a broader effort,” guitarist Brad Delson said.

Delson added: “If one of our fans can donate $10, then that’s going to help… We are also going to appeal to our musical peers by asking them to donate as well.”

All money raised by Music for Relief will go to the American Red Cross.

Delson described the band’s creation of Music for Relief as “our way of giving back to the people who so desperately need it”.

How you can help:
Global aid organizations have launched urgent appeals for donations to help survivors of Sunday’s Indian Ocean earthquake disaster.

The Disasters Emergency Committee – is an umbrella group of UK aid organizations – including Action Aid, British Red Cross and Oxfam – working to provide clean water, food and shelter to thousands. To call from the UK, dial 0870 60 60 900.

The United Nations World Food Programme – is seeking donations to feed victims of the earthquake.

Medecins Sans Frontieres – is sending aid workers to the region, focusing on medical care for survivors and displaced people after the rescue operations.

The United Nations Children’s Fund, Unicef – is working to meet the “urgent needs of hundreds of thousands of people” affected by the tsunami disaster.

The UN refugee agency, UNHCR – which has been helping victims of conflicts in Indonesia and Sri Lanka, is delivering relief supplies to tsunami survivors in both countries.

Save the Children – has already flown a plane out to Sri Lanka carrying plastic sheeting for temporary shelter, tents to run children’s services from and essentials such as clothing and cooking utensils.

Anti-poverty organizations Care International – has already provided food for thousands of affected people in Sri Lanka.

Cafod, the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development – is working with partners across Asia to provide shelter, food aid and medical assistance, and assessing what further relief is needed.

The Red Cross, with its sister charity the Red Crescent, is supplying blankets, cooking utensils and other crucial goods. It has had to set up a new site – www.ifrc.org – because of the unprecedented demand from people wanting to make donations.

The Hindu Forum Disaster Relief Task Force – comprises 50 organizations and is raising money, clothes and medicines. Donations can be made online or by calling the ISKCON Disaster Appeal on 01923 856848 or Sewa International on 0116 261 0303.

Christian Aid – has already allocated ?250,000 from its emergency fund to help the victims of this disaster but says more money is needed.

Christian charity Tearfund – and its partners in Sri Lanka and India are helping devastated fishing communities and coastal villages get back on their feet.

Islamic Relief – has also launched an appeal to provide medical supplies, tents and sanitation facilities for those affected.

The Islamic Aid Emergency Relief Fund – aims to provide immediate relief and long-term support to people in the affected areas.

Another Islamic charity, Muslim Hands is collecting money and sending volunteers to help in Indonesia and Malaysia.

Medair – is providing emergency support to agencies with a long-term presence in Sri Lanka and its medical experts are assessing the likelihood of malaria and diarrhoea.

World Vision – has also launched an appeal and has already delivered relief goods to thousands.

Concern – is working with local partners to meet the needs of families in the devastated coastal villages of Tamil Nadu, the worst-affected state in India.

The International Rescue Committee – is providing emergency supplies and materials to “people most affected by the crisis”.

The Salvation Army has local teams working in a number of affected areas and is sending a team from its international headquarters on Wednesday evening.

Muslim Aid – has already donated ?100,000 towards the purchase of food, clothing and medicine in the region but wants to raise more.

Action Aid – is the biggest charity working in south India. It is focusing its relief work on the coast of Tamil Nadu, where 7,000 people died. It is working on providing medical assistance and sanitation for the survivors.

Oxfam – is active in Indonesia, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Sri Lanka and India. Their relief operations include distributing food packs and hygiene kits and setting up water and sanitation facilities.

Asia Quake Relief Appeal UK, a UK-based Sri Lankan organizations, is also raising money and can be emailed at asia-quakerelief at europe.com

World Jewish Aid – is working with local partners in India, Indonesia and other affected areas to help survivors threatened by water contamination and disease.

Hindu NGO Baps Care International – is working in villages around Chennai in Southern India distributing food, drinking water, tarpaulins, utensils, stoves, clothes and blankets.

Goal teams – are at present working in Tamil Nadu in Southern India where they are distributing aid to 5,000 families.

A large team of doctors, engineers and logisticians are also in Sri Lanka.

You can donate to all the campaigns via their websites.

I hope this tsunami is a wake up call for some people on how harsh nature can be…But I doubt those in power will learn and act accordingly.