"Oil-rich Saudi Arabia is one of the world's wealthiest countries. But though it's generous when it comes to building Islamic religious schools and mosques throughout the world, Saudi Arabia has been rather miserly when it comes to the suffering of the people of Haiti, which was struck by a cataclysmic earthquake that destroyed its capital and killed tens of thousands.
Certainly, Haiti is a world away from Saudi Arabia. And it's a mostly Christian country, rather than Muslim. But that hasn't stopped other wealthy Middle East countries from pitching in.
The United Arab Emirates, for example, has launched an air bridge for getting relief supplies to Haiti. Qatar has dispatched 50 metric tons of aid to Haiti, and Kuwait has made an initial pledge of $1 million, as has Morocco.
Earthquake-prone Turkey and Iran also are helping. Ankara has dispatched a mobile hospital to Haiti and Tehran has donated 30 metric tons of aid.
Even some poorer Middle East countries are helping out. Jordan has sent a planeload of supplies while Lebanon has committed to taking part in relief efforts. Israel has dispatched medical rescue teams to Haiti.
Saudi King Abdullah, meanwhile, has sent a message of condolence to Haitian President René Préval."
4 comments :
VIDEO: UN Troops Fire Rubber Bullet into Crowd...
http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=6112288n&tag=api
Interesting, Aton. The security guy seen in the beginning of that video is Jordanian, according to the flag on his shoulder.
The Jordanian guy was the one in black. I didn't see him firing in the video. Some of the guys in beige were firing - looks like they're wearing Pakistani flags.
Pictures from Haiti, warning many of these are quite horrifying.
"On Assignment: Prayers in the Dark" at http://lens.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/01/15/assignemnt-19
Hat tip to Brett at http://www.hurryupharry.org/2010/01/18/donations-to-haitians
Iaraeli rescue teams and field hospital saves lives in Haiti.
"Haiti: Woman gives birth in IDF field hospital" at http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=12631479150368&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2F%2FShowFull
Hat tip to Snoopy the Goon at http://simplyjews.blogspot.com/2010/01/haiti-gringos-caudillo-chavez-politics.html#comments
"UN to send 3,500 additional troops to Haiti" at http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1143649.html
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