David Suzuki has written a new column in which he calls the Tsunami aid inspiring. He goes on to say that “in all our efforts to bring some hope to those suffering, we mustn’t forget that the developing world needs our help every day. Those living in poorer countries do not often have access to the services and infrastructure that we take for granted.” Further, he points out that “the tsunami has also taken the spotlight off other long-suffering regions, such as Sudan and Uganda.”
Those are all very good points, and I agree that the outpouring of support for areas affected by the Tsunami has been touching. Yet for once, just once, I’d like to see someone as prominent and respected as David Suzuki say something about starting at home. Sure Canada is consistently ranked high on quality of living lists, but we can always do better.
Lets take a step back, and ask…how did North America get to where it is today? It wasn’t because the Europeans that settled here found people who were less fortunate and poured resources into helping them. Why are things different today? Can you imagine what western countries (not just Canada and the United States) could accomplish if the billions of dollars spent on foreign aid each year were instead spent at home? I’m all for human rights, but if it’s going to cost Canada millions of dollars to temporarily stop one group of people from killing another half way around the world, screw it. Let them kill each other. Then we can help the survivors. Why can’t we let the developing countries develop? There’s a reason we don’t call them incubated countries.
I realize that the point of view I am presenting is extreme, but perhaps that is what is needed. Maybe it’s just me, but I think it’s sick that people will donate millions of dollars right away to help countries hit by the Tsunami but they won’t donate a dime to their local charities. Not only that, but do you think people in Sri Lanka would donate money to Canada if Vancouver fell into the ocean? Did anyone outside the US and Canada donate any substantial amounts of money for victims of 9/11?
Obviously it is a very kind and generous act to donate to the Tsunami victims, but I just don’t like how the donations are made without a second thought. In the US alone, corporate donations for the Tsunami are set to exceed those made for the 9/11 attacks. I know that in Canada, donations must be spent on goods produced here which can then be shipped to the affected areas, but that’s not enough. That scheme only helps the people in Canada who already have something. What about those that do not?
I think it would be great if Canada instituted a law that half or even a quarter of all foreign aid has to go to charities in Canada. So if you donate $100 to Tsunami, $25 of it will go a charity in Canada. But as that is not likely to happen, let’s at least have some prominent figures make a plea for helping out other Canadians first.
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I agree…and do you think that any of those countries are going to donate to the problems that are going on in California right now? Flash floods, mud slides, half of a hill coming down like an avalanche of mud and anything in its way and parts of highways falling into the ocean. I doubt it!
Well, I agree that charity begins at home, but here in Canada we have a social security net so underprivileged people don’t fall through the cracks (although many do, and some just refuse help). Developing countries don’t have this luxury. I’m also pretty sure the Canadian government spends more money on domestic social programs than it ever spends on helping domestic countries.
If us G7 countries were really that altruistic, don’t you think that rather than sending aid money, those countries would be better off if we forgave their debts?
Anyways, not alot of countries gave to the 9/11 victims because it happened in the US – the richest country on the world. It would be like giving Bill Gates settlement money because he broke his toe.
Also, based on your theory about letting 3rd World countries fight amongst each other and then help the survivors; why don’t we just let the homeless here in Canada fight each other and reward the winner? Charities shouldn’t exist because they’re just perpetuating the problem then.
But I agree with you that there are other causes we should be helping out; like Darfur or Sudan, but I guess they don’t have as good PR as Indonesia, Sri Lanka or Thailand since those aren’t very good tourist destinations.
P.S. You probably think I’m a communist now 🙂
Mack, I actually am not going to disagree with you, not even for fun. I think it’s disgusting that over $4 billion has been pumped into this disaster, and yet there are millions of people in a lot of diffrent countries who have known nothing but abject poverty their entire lives.
I also think that it’s wrong for the wealthier nations to appear altruistic when it’s convenient. If governments weren’t so concerned with what other nations were doing, an looked to make their own countries better for more people, then it would be more justifiable to donate such large sums of money to developing countries.
The crisis in Darfur, Sudan is a perfect example of everything that is wrong with aid – these people are being tossed out of their homelands by rebels, and the global community is essentially standing by and letting it happen, while a natural disaster has taken the attention of the global media. If there was a stronger media presence in other regions of the world where aid is needed, certainly people in wealthier countries would be more inclined to donate money to aid organizations in order to help these people as well. In my mind, crimes against humanity are much more important and serious than the devastation caused by a natural disaster. And speaking of natural disasters, when Vancouver gets hit with the massive underwater earthquake that everyone says is coming, where will the aid for that city come from?
No I don’t think you’re communist Andrea, but I don’t agree with you either 🙂 I just posted a new one about forgiving debt, you can read that and tell me if you still think its a good idea.
Megan – the aid won’t come from the international community, that’s for sure. It will be Canadians and Americans (only for trade really) donating to Vancouver.