Jerry D

The last thread had reached its posting limit, so I started a new thread. Please continue your discussions of this tragedy here. Thanks.

No1important

It is a terrible tragedy and I hope all the money and supplies go to where they are really needed and I hope none of the countries affected have corrupt governments that will keep it instead of helping all those who really need it.

This really opens ones eyes to realize how lucky we are here in North America to have such advanced mechanisms to deal with crisis's. It is our duty to help the poorer countries to get up to snuff so this type of tragedy can be reduced in the future.

-Kelly-

I just donated some more money

TheAngel

I have to wonder what you all think about the Tsunami warning system. Apparently Asia wants to institute an early warning system but everyone says that this Tsunami happened so quickly that there was really no way to warn. What do you think about there being an early warning system? Do you think it's worth the cost?

-Kelly-

I think it's worth it it can save some lifes...they need some

No1important

I think they should even if it only saves one(hopefully more) life then it is worth it.

Didn't American scientists know a hlfh hour or an hour before it happened? So why can't they have the same set up? The west should see to it they do.

-Kelly-

I *think* I don't know if this is true Australia Government wants to pay the Tsunami warning system for the countries
I don't know if this is true I hope it is

Fair_Maiden

150,000 now according to msn.

I think that if they had the warning system, the numbers would not have been as high.

I think that it is great that the world is really coming together like it is. It's too bad that it took a disaster to do so.

TheAngel

It always does, which is really bad but it's also good to see that we're still able to put our differences behind us. Maybe someday it won't take a disaster of any kind to do that.

*Lauren

The thing is can anyone tell me the last time a tsunami happened in the Indian Ocean?

Even then, would you know what to do if you were standing on the beach and a siren started going off?

-Kelly-

Firework appeal raises over $1 million
13:40 AEDT Sat Jan 1 2005

Even while they were celebrating the coming of the new year, Australians contributed more than $1.12 million to the victims of the devastating Boxing Day tsunami.

Appeals beamed onto Harbour Bridge pylons encouraged those who watched Sydney's famous fireworks from the harbour foreshore or on television to dig deep for Oxfam Community Aid Abroad.

They donated $1,121,000 to Oxfam's Earthquake Tsunami Emergency Appeal throughout the evening, bringing the organisation's overall appeal total to more than $6.5 million.

"We are grateful to the people of Australia for their phenomenal response last night," said Oxfam public policy director James Ensor.

"From children donating their pocket money to others writing out large cheques, Australians are clearly empathising with the tsunami survivors and are digging deep to help out however they can.

"We would like to extend our sincere thanks to the City of Sydney for all their support and generous donation to our Appeal."

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from ninemsn.com.au.

- Jen -

yay for sydney..

i'm curious to see how much was raised at the Perth fireworks... there were 22,000 people there, and there was a lot of people donating as they walked in. I ended up emptying all my change into the bucket- about $15, and lot of people were doing the same....

Also had a 1 minute silence, which granted, was hard given the amount of drunk people- but mostly everyone was quiet...

mh67511

From what I heard, the US has 6 "sensors" placed in strategic places in the Atlantic ocean from Alaska down towards Mexico or South America. In all honesty, they said it probably wouldn't give more than 30 minutes notice, IF that. The other thing is they have no good way to tell WHERE it would strike...they'd essentially have to issue warnings to the entire east coast. Also, I'm not really sure how they would get the word out. They have plans to add 20 more sensors in the next few years, but I'm sure it's expensive and a lot of work. The reason they had no warning system is that apparently Tsunamis are a rare occurence (an earthquake of this magnitude is rare) and it is very expensive to put in. Still even if it would only give 30 minutes it would probably allow people to get a few miles from the coast.

mh67511

http://abcnews.go.com/Business/story?id=371760&page=1

So many companies are donating! It's just amazing the amount of aid everyone is giving...Coca Cola is donating bottled water! Must have read my mind hehe...

-Kelly-

From http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=25626

Aussie concert to raise tsunami funds
15:42 AEDT Sat Jan 1 2005

World Vision will get a boost to its fundraising effort for victims of the Asian earthquake and tsunami next weekend when some big-name Australian bands and musicians perform at the Sydney Opera House.

Killing Heidi, The Whitlams, and Australian Idols Anthony Callea and Casey Donovan will join Spiderbait, Noiseworks, Eskimo Joe and Scribe at a "reach out" concert to raise funds for the biggest relief effort ever mounted.

Hosted by Channel Seven, the concert will be held on the steps of the Opera House and proceeds from the 4,000 ticket sales - each costing $25 - will be donated to the Christian aid organisation.

As 2004 came to an end, Australians had donated about $36 million to aid groups helping assist the injured, the homeless, the starving and the sick across ten Asian nations.

But Community Aid Abroad Oxfam Australia alone received $1.12 million from New Year's Eve revellers across the country, bringing their total fundraising amount to about $6.5 million.

The United Nations said the death toll from the earthquake and tidal waves was approaching 150,000.

Tickets to the Reach Out To Asia fundraising concert go on sale on Tuesday, January 4.