Venezuela earthquakes, is £2million all the UK can afford to send for the relief effort?

I agree with all you say, Tuliptree about the DEC. I just thought it would be worth pointing out ShelterBox for anyone who wanted to contribute to immediate help.

I also think DECs strong point is that it coordinates 15 organisations and prevents duplication of effort or missing out need

Wheniwasyourage

The Disasters Emergency Committee always seems to take a while to crank up after any disaster, but no doubt they will be appealing soon for Venezuela. The ShelterBox Trust has already launched an appeal, and it seems to me that shelter and basic equipment will be needed urgently.

That’s because the DEC always monitor a new disaster against their criteria before they launch the appeal. Perhaps it’s because it’s a joint appeal?

The Disasters Emergency Committee always seems to take a while to crank up after any disaster, but no doubt they will be appealing soon for Venezuela. The ShelterBox Trust has already launched an appeal, and it seems to me that shelter and basic equipment will be needed urgently.

Oreo

I think Rosie51 means by governments rather than us on here.

No she doesn’t mean ‘by governments’ at all. Try reading the bit I quoted again. She means Gnet posters.

No-one is compassionate and emphatic, it seems, until they have publicly declared it on a Gnet thread.

Governments around the world need to send people and specialist machinery not only to find as many survivors as possible but also because of the health risks associated with the number of decomposing dead bodies that are still buried under the rubble.
Individual donations made to the established disaster charities should reach the correct people.

Agree with Tuliptree 100% re practical help. I’m sure plenty of individuals will send what they can and hope and pray that it goes where it is needed most. I hope the government will do the same.

Grantanow

Venezuela was a corrupt regime. I'm glad the UK is helping but let's be sure the local politicians are not lining their pockets.

That’s why help is usually given in kind - rescue workers, doctors, tents etc The big relief organisations such as the Red Cross are fully aware and well experienced in working in such situations

Venezuela was a corrupt regime. I'm glad the UK is helping but let's be sure the local politicians are not lining their pockets.

I think the British Red Cross released aid and funds ( which it holds for disasters ) immediately.
Yes we should of course offer what help we can as a nation.

The government also made it clear that the £2m is an initial contribution

AGAA4

The US is sending a substantial amount.

As it should after its recent intervention.

It was 11pm on 24th June in UK when the earthquake happened, and the severity was not understood until the morning of 25th in Venezuela, which is 5 hours behind UK. The UK 68 man rescue team was confirmed and boarded a flight on 26th, which must have taken a lot of organising.

The rescue team is in addition to the £2m, and the funding appeals the Red Cross and other charities are also open if anybody wants help directly.

It’s great to see that so many have been rescued from under the rubble, the dogs they use are amazing.The scale of it is just so awful.

I think Rosie51 means by governments rather than us on here.

I'm not parading any compassion credentials at all, but I'll look out for you making the same comment to other posters who express their concern for a different disaster.

I'm amazed there are no other threads on GN about this tragedy. Do Venezuelans not count when it comes to concern and compassion?

I’m sorry, Rosie, but I’m sure that many Gnetters are able feel concern and compassion for the victims of any natural or manmade disaster, even to contribute to appeals for financial aid, without having to parade their compassion credentials on a Gnet thread.

But if USA decides not to shell out lots. then it's OK for the rest of the world to just shrug their shoulders? I despair, so much for kindness!

She was rescued just after baby, ITV news had pictures.

Yes the government had not been a good one but the USA had crippled them with sanctions too. They can certainly shell out lots.

I'm pleased we finally on Friday sent out rescue workers. The 72 hour window for finding live survivors is rapidly coming to an end,
The death toll from Venezuela's earthquakes is now 1,430, with 3,238 injured, and this figure will continue to rise. If you can watch the rescue of a new born baby handed to its father without feeling total compassion then I have nothing further to add. The mother was reputedly rescued moments later.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c30yv0jp2nyt

I'm amazed there are no other threads on GN about this tragedy. Do Venezuelans not count when it comes to concern and compassion?

The £2m will be augmented by donations to Red Cross etc from individuals & private companies, hopefully.
I'm in both camps, it's not enough but public finances are in a mess.
The money Trump's spent on a fruitless bid for regime change in Iran could've been well-spent on this natural disaster.

It’s not just a question of being humanitarian. How much do you think we should send to South Sudan? To be blunt, should we cut welfare benefits, the defence budget or education? We would have a lot of spare cash if we didn’t give the royal family £300 million a year

It has one of the most corrupt governments in the world, how much aid actually reaches those who despise need it, particularly if ‘cash’, will be far less than sent.

When it is lives at stake I don't care one iota for politics, either we're humanitarians or we're not.

Yes of course he should.