Terry Everett, January 10, 2005

In contradiction to a United Nations official's charges of American stinginess towards the needy of the world, the United States is rising to the challenge of providing much-needed disaster relief to the victims of the recent tsunami. Our country's response has been swift and growing in proportion to the magnitude of the tragedy.

The earthquake and resulting tsunami that occurred off the coast of the Indonesian island of Sumatra on the morning of December 26 is being called the worst natural disaster to strike the planet in at least a half century. Without any warning, the 9.0 temblor created a wall of water that swept coastal communities in Sumatra and ten other Indian Ocean countries. The loss of life is staggering at over 150,000 with the total growing daily. Upwards of five million people have been affected either through personal injury, lost loved ones, homelessness, or all of the above.

In the hours after this enormous natural calamity, Mr. Jan Egeland, emergency relief coordinator for the U.N., made the observation that the wealthy nations, including the United States, were "stingy" in not giving more in foreign assistance in general. He further observed that the politicians of these nations should authorize more such assistance because their constituencies want them to give more. Perhaps Mr. Egeland was still in a daze from the news of the earthquake and tsunami because his statements make no sense at all.

Frankly, it should not surprise anyone that a U.N. official would make such an irresponsible statement considering that governmental body's disregard for financial accountability and the rule of law as evidenced by the ongoing U.N. Oil-for-Food Program scandal. When the people of Iraq depended upon the proceeds of the Oil-for-Food Program for the basic necessities of food and medicine, greedy U.N. officials and foreign governments were all too willing to cut under-the-table deals with Saddam to skim billions of dollars in profits from the fund. Now the U.N. has the gall to criticize America's generosity!

In response to Mr. Egeland, President Bush noted that the United States provided $2.4 billion in food aid, cash, and humanitarian relief to the world in 2004 - some 40 percent of all relief aid given last year. On December 31, the President pledged $350 million in relief and recovery assistance to the people and countries affected by the recent earthquake and tsunami.

Interestingly, in recent days the U.N. has muted its complaints of stinginess. It might not want to admit its dependence, not only upon American aid, but upon the resources of America's military in bringing home this vital assistance to those in need. Indeed, 13,435 American military personnel are currently involved in Operation Unified Assistance along with 20 U.S. Navy ships including the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Abraham Lincoln and 48 U.S. military helicopters. As of January 5, Operation Unified Assistance has delivered more than 610,000 pounds of water, food and other supplies to the region.

President Bush has joined millions of Americans in pledging support for the disaster victims and we are backing up our words with action. Government, business, charities, and individuals are all responding in rapid and generous fashion. If you would like more information on how to help the tsunami victims visit the web site of the U.S. Agency of International Development at: http://www.usaid.gov/ and click the link "Tsunami Relief."

Congressman Terry Everett, a Republican, represents Alabama's Second Congressional District, which includes the state capitol, Montgomery.