Global South Response to Hurricane Katrina Relief

In a unprecedented move, countries in the developing world are contributing to relief efforts in the gulf coast. Despite being the wealthiest country in the world, the US was shown to have the same vunerabilities as the rest of the world.

Sri Lanka, still suffering from the afternoon of the December 26 tsunami, has offered to help victims of Hurricane Katrina in the US with $25,000US.

"Having experienced the fury of nature ourselves during the December 26th tsunami, the people of Sri Lanka and I fully empathize with you [the American people] at this hour of national grief,'' said President Chandrika Kumaratunga.

Thailand's prime minister confirmed Monday that the Thai government is offering 100 doctors and nurses and Indonesia sent 40 doctors to go to the United States. India gave $5 million to the American Red Cross and donations of essential medicines, water purification systems for household and community level operation and a medical team.

Venezuela has offered to send fuel and food to portions of the United States which some aid may not be able to reach. State-owned Petróleos de Venezuela, the parent company of Citgo Petroleum Corporation, has also pledged a USD 2 million donation for hurricane aid. However Hugo Chavez used the opportunity to slame the Bush administration for sluggish rescue efforts.

"As more information comes out now, a terrible truth is becoming evident: That government doesn't have evacuation plans," Chavez said last week. "There were many innocent people who left in the direction of the hurricane. No one told them where they should go."

Last Saturday Cuban president Fidel Castro told American officials that he has prepared 1,500 doctors to go to the disaster area, but hasn't received any response from the Bush Administration yet.

"You could all be there right now lending your services, but 48 hours have passed since we made this offer, and we have received absolutely no response," Castro said at Havana's Palace of the Revolution.

"We continue to wait patiently for a response. In the meantime, all of you will be taking intensive courses in immunology and also something that I should be doing -- an intensive brush-up course in English."

Nigeria, Africa's most populous nation has pledged $1 million for disaster relief.

Singapore has so far ferried about 700 evacuees and hauled tons of supplies in 39 sorties on 4 September.

Dozens of other countries in the South have also offered.