God's hand in Haiti?

[abelisle]

First and foremost, I want to make it abundantly clear that I am NOT in the school of believers who say that natural disasters are "the hand of God." God might allow these things to happen but I do NOT believe that He makes them happen.

That said, get ready for people (both in church and at work) to remind us of Katrina and New Orleans. I heard people say that the hurricane that devastated New Orleans was God's way of punishing the witchcraft capital of the US. I'm waiting for people to say the same with what has happened in Haiti, the voodoo capital of the world.

How will you respond?

I was thinking of putting this topic in the "World Affairs" thread but since the focus is on the "why" of the event rather than a reporting of the damage due to the event, I put this post here.

Alex

[Kountzer]

Before the earthquake struck in Haiti I was discussing a previous earthquake that struck the Humboldt county and Eureka, Ca area days before. I was communicating with someone I know on facebook who lives in that area and also is seventh day adventist. In Eureka the event registered 6.5. I lived in that area for 2 years or so, and saw the aftermath of a 6.6 earthquake.

Eureka is surviving. They have better and stronger structures and buildings. Haiti is a different story. That's a very poor country. The infrastructure there is inadequate to say the least.

As for the notion that Haiti, like New Orleans is being judged, well, this whole planet is going to be judged.

[Outta Here]

How will you respond?

"You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye.

New American Standard Bible (©1995)

Matthew 7:5

[Stan]

God's hands in Haiti will now be found at the end of our arms.

[Gail]

My son was working on an aid project for there yesterday.

I haven't been watching the news and am just catching up on that now.

[Steve Billiter]

Before the earthquake struck in Haiti I was discussing a previous earthquake that struck the Humboldt county and Eureka, Ca area days before. I was communicating with someone I know on facebook who lives in that area and also is seventh day adventist. In Eureka the event registered 6.5. I lived in that area for 2 years or so, and saw the aftermath of a 6.6 earthquake.

Eureka is surviving. They have better and stronger structures and buildings. Haiti is a different story. That's a very poor country. The infrastructure there is inadequate to say the least.

As for the notion that Haiti, like New Orleans is being judged, well, this whole planet is going to be judged.

My family and I were living in Eureka CA at the time of the La Prieta earthquake in So.Ca in 1989, which shook us out of our beds.We also just had serious temblors here in Reno a year and a half ago one, of which woke me up at 4 in the morning, and I thought it was the big one as I took cover under a doorway.

Even the more modern "earthquake resistant" structures with the shock absorber systems and other flexible building methods can never withstand a powerful enough earthquake especially with an approximate epicenter.

[Tom Wetmore]

God's hands in Haiti will now be found at the end of our arms.

[Steve Billiter]

First and foremost, I want to make it abundantly clear that I am NOT in the school of believers who say that natural disasters are "the hand of God." God might allow these things to happen but I do NOT believe that He makes them happen.

That said, get ready for people (both in church and at work) to remind us of Katrina and New Orleans. I heard people say that the hurricane that devastated New Orleans was God's way of punishing the witchcraft capital of the US. I'm waiting for people to say the same with what has happened in Haiti, the voodoo capital of the world.

How will you respond?

I was thinking of putting this topic in the "World Affairs" thread but since the focus is on the "why" of the event rather than a reporting of the damage due to the event, I put this post here.

Alex

The fact is God also executes judgments according to His will. Look at Sodom and Gomorrah.The 1906 SF earthquake was caused by angels of God.

The destroying angels of God were at work. One touch, and buildings so thoroughly constructed that men regarded them as secure against every danger quickly became heaps of rubbish. There was no assurance of safety in anyplace. I did not feel in any special peril but the awfulness of the scenes that passed before me I cannot find words to describe. It seemed the forbearance of God was exhausted, and the judgment day had come. Testimonies, Volume 9, page 92). SF earthquake, 1906

1Ch 21:15 And God sent an angel unto Jerusalem to destroy it: and as he was destroying, the LORD beheld, and he relented of the disaster, and said to the angel that destroyed, It is enough, restrain now your hand. And the angel of the LORD stood by the threshingfloor of Ornan the Jebusite.

Demons also cause death and destruction as God permits.

A single angel destroyed all the first-born of the Egyptians, and filled the land with mourning. When David offended against God by numbering the people, one angel caused that terrible destruction by which his sin was punished. The same destructive power exercised by holy angels when God commands, will be exercised by evil angels when he permits. There are forces now ready, and only waiting the divine permission, to spread desolation everywhere. {GC88 614.2}

The beginning of the book of Job also contains important lessons for us.

Job 1:12 And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he has is in your power; only upon himself put not forth your hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD.

Job 1:16 While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The fire of God has fallen from heaven, and has burned up the sheep, and the servants, and consumed them; and I alone am escaped to tell you.

Job 1:18 While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, Your sons and your daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother’s house:

Job 1:19 And, behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness, and struck the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young men, and they are dead; and I alone am escaped to tell you.

So it is God who allows demonic forces to cause massive destruction, thus the universe sees the results of sin that is manifested in the course of Satan; while God also delivers judgments according to His purposes.

[Gail]

So, how do you tell if it's Satan or a judgment of God?

[rudywoofs (Pam)]

First and foremost, I want to make it abundantly clear that I am NOT in the school of believers who say that natural disasters are "the hand of God." God might allow these things to happen but I do NOT believe that He makes them happen.

That said, get ready for people (both in church and at work) to remind us of Katrina and New Orleans. I heard people say that the hurricane that devastated New Orleans was God's way of punishing the witchcraft capital of the US. I'm waiting for people to say the same with what has happened in Haiti, the voodoo capital of the world.

How will you respond?

Alex

New Orleans was not the witchcraft capital of the U.S. They did a lot of voodoo, but witchcraft is widespread, especially in the Pacific NW.

I agree with you, though, that God allows these things to happen, but I don't think he *makes* them happen to punish people.

[teresaq]

i believe the key would be in understanding what a "judgment" is, when coming from God, or "ordained" by Him.

we typically understand "judgments" according to what we humans do, and the bible, unfortunately, doesnt seem to make it easy for us to see in a different manner.

there is the predestination point of view which the bible seems to be quite clear on, then there is the adventist view, which many of us are not clear on. (those who have the "lingo" can fill in the words and facts of which i speak. im not a theologian.)

the predestination view says that God saves or condemns people through no choice of their own. in going against that view we look like we are disregarding the clear texts of scripture that say otherwise. yet adventists believe they have come to a "deeper" view of the scriptures, or the truer meaning of the scriptures.

so back to "judgments"...

[rudywoofs (Pam)]

It's interesting, I think, that probably the U.S. is going to be the first nation to be helping Haiti recover. What other nations came to help the U.S. when Katrina hit New Orleans? We seem to be the ones everyone calls upon for help, yet no one comes to our aid when disasters hit. (I might be wrong...I hope I am.)

[teresaq]

What other nations came to help the U.S. when Katrina hit New Orleans? We seem to be the ones everyone calls upon for help, yet no one comes to our aid when disasters hit. (I might be wrong...I hope I am.)

quite a few did! the different countries that pledged aid were mentioned during the coverage of that disaster.

maybe, as a country, we make more of what we do than what others do. (?)

[rudywoofs (Pam)]

I stand corrected. Many countries offered financial assistance. Canada was the first to come and help.

maybe, as a country, we make more of what we do than what others do. (?)

maybe, but I could be wrong.

ntmomitf

[teresaq]

i think i meant to say we are more conscious of what we do than what others do.

i dont know if there is as much coverage of what other countries do, except in cases such as the "cold war".

[Steve Billiter]

So, how do you tell if it's Satan or a judgment of God?

Well, for sure if the Bible or the SOP tells us which it is. Common sense along with light from these sources may also give us an idea concerning more recent events, as we can gather evidence from God's providence along with a working knowledge of how He operates.

The Battle Creek Sanitarium along with the Review and Herald Publishing house were destroyed by fires around 1904. These were judgments of God concerning the pantheistic fables Dr. John H. Kellogg was teaching in his book, "The Living Temple" with the resulting apostasy from all that.

I recall some conference building that also burned down in WA recently which may be the Columbia Conference, memory fails me at this time. We live in a time of increasing apostasy within the church, until the latter rain falls at the sunday law juncture, then as the loud cry is given by the accompanying angel with the 3rd angel, the work is finished with power.

So in the light of God's love, He will correct and rebuke His children both individually and corporately.

I don't have an answer for Haiti; buts its significance is that all these things will work for God's purposes whichever the supernatural agency does the deed.

Rom 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

We should take serious heed, the end of all things temporal for the saints is at hand. It is long past time to prepare for the final seal of God, the latter rain, and the return of Jesus!

[lazarus]

It's interesting, I think, that probably the U.S. is going to be the first nation to be helping Haiti recover. What other nations came to help the U.S. when Katrina hit New Orleans? We seem to be the ones everyone calls upon for help, yet no one comes to our aid when disasters hit. (I might be wrong...I hope I am.)

Below is a list of countries who offered aid. Some of these efforts were not formally accepted by the U.S. government

Don't really like long posts but....

Afghanistan

Donated $100,000 to the hurricane victims.[3]

Albania

Donated $300,000.[4]

Argentina

Made offers of help and assistance. Argentina also dispatched an elite team of bilingual mental health professionals.[5]

Armenia

Pledged $200,000 and made offers of help and assistance.[6]

Australia

AUD 10 million (approximately USD 8-9 Million), and a team of 20 emergency response officers immediately. Donated AUD 10 million to American Red Cross.[7]

Austria

140 specialists of the AFDRU were put on stand-by. Their focus was to have been on providing clean water with portable water-treatment plants. Within the EU Emergency Assistance for Katrina, Austria set up a communication network using IT and communication equipment for assistance/support, provided 10 sets petrol driven dirty water pumps, 500 pieces tarps/plastic sheeting and 300 camp beds.[8]

Azerbaijan

Donated $500,000.[9]

The Bahamas

Pledged $50,000.

Bahrain

Donated $5 million.[10]

Bangladesh

Donated humanitarian aid worth $1 million and said it would send 160 disaster management experts, including doctors, nurses, engineers and others.

Belarus

Made offers of help and assistance.

Belgium

Offered 3 Medical teams of 31 personnel, logistic team of 10 personnel, coordination team of 4 personnel, civil engineering team of 10 personnel, diving team, and also balloon-lamps, low and high capacity pumps and small generators.[8]

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Made offers of help and assistance.

Brunei

Donated $1 million.[10]

Cambodia

The king donated $20,000 to match the $20,000 Cambodian government donation.

Canada

Main article: Canadian response to Hurricane Katrina

September 5, 35 military divers were poised to depart by air Sunday from Halifax and Esquimalt, B.C., for the New Orleans area.September 4, On the request from U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Canada sent thousands of beds, blankets, surgical gloves and dressings and other medical supplies. On September 2 the Government of Canada announced it was sending three warships along with a Coast Guard vessel, and three Sea King helicopters to the area. Over 1,000 personnel are involved in the operation, including engineers and navy divers. The Canadian Heavy Urban Search and Rescue out of Vancouver was in Louisiana from September 1, due to security they started their mission on Sept 3. Ontario Hydro, Hydro-Québec, and Manitoba Hydro, along with other electrical utilities, had crews set to go to the affected areas. On September 2 Air Canada participated along with U.S. member airlines of the Air Transport Association, in a voluntary airline industry initiative to support rescue and relief operations. Money donations although where very high, the province of Alberta alone threw in 5 million dollars alone. Although it is hard to put an exact number on Canadian cash donations because of some Canadians donating directly to the American agencies, but it is thought to be one of the highest international donors nation.

Chile

Made offers of help and assistance.

People's Republic of China

On September 2, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that it will offer $5 million along with emergency supplies, including 1,000 tents, 600 generators, bed sheets, immediately for disaster relief. China also offered to send medical care and rescue workers if they were needed.[11] This aid package consisting of 104 tons of supplies later arrived in Little Rock, Arkansas.[12] A chartered plane carrying the supplies arrived on September 7.[13]

Colombia

Made offers of help and assistance.

Cuba

One of the first countries to offer aid, Cuba offered to send 1,586 doctors and 26 tons of medicine. This aid was rejected by the State Department.[14]

Cyprus

Offered $50,000.

Czech Republic

Offered rescue teams, field hospital and pumps and water processing equipment.

Denmark

Offered Water purification units.[8]

Djibouti

Offered $50,000.[2]

Dominica

Offered police to monitor hard-hit areas.

Dominican Republic

Offered rescue workers, doctors and nurses.

Ecuador

Made offers of help and assistance.

Egypt

Sent 2 C-130 planes loaded with blankets, medical equipment, and canned food.

El Salvador

Offered to send troops to help keep order in New Orleans.

Equatorial Guinea

Pledged $500,000.

Finland

Sent Finn Rescue Force—the group consists of 30 firemen and three Red Cross logistics experts.. Additionally Finland offered 300 tents, a water purification unit, sterile gloves, bed sheets, pillow covers, tarps and first aid kits.

France

Main article: French response to Hurricane Katrina

Concrete help was refused by the US government initially, however on September 2, Condoleezza Rice said that the US authorities would assess the situation and contact French authorities accordingly. On September 4, US authorities formally requested French assistance. France offered disaster relief stocks prepositioned in Martinique (600 tents, around 1000 beds, 60 electrogenic groups, 3 pumps, 3 water purification stations, 1000 folding jerricanes and other material). A 35-person team of the Sécurité civile (Civil defence) from Guadeloupe and Martinique were made ready, and a 60-man "catastrophe intervention" aeromobile detachment were prepared to be ferried from mainland in a short time. The Ministry of Defence offered 2 planes already in the zone and 6 more from mainland France, and two ships of the French Navy (probably the BATRAL Francis Garnier or Champlain, and the frigate Ventôse) and a 20-person team of emergency medical specialists. The non-governmental organisation Télécoms sans frontières and the company Véolia environnement offered aid in communications and water management, respectively. On September 7, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs stated that an Airbus Beluga from Toulouse with 12,7 tonnes of supplies flew to Mobile, Alabama, after a brief stop in the UK to load more food.[15] Two Casa airplanes from Martinique landed in Little Rock, Arkansas, ferrying tents, covers and 1000 rations of food for 24 hours.[8][16][17]

Gabon

Pledged $500,000.[2]

Georgia

Made offers of help and assistance.

Germany

Two German Army Airbus planes landed in Florida with about 25 tonnes of food rations to be transported to the disaster area. Further planes were prepared. Germany offered airlifting, vaccination, water purification, medical supplies including German air force hospital planes, emergency electrical power and pumping services. The aid was ready to go on German air force and chartered planes. A team of specialists from THW (German federal agency for technical relief) were planning technical measures and logistics in close contact with local authorities. A team of 89 flood fighting specialists and 5 medical personnel were dispatched from Ramstein Air Base to Louisiana by the United States Air Force. They brought 15 high performance pumps (10 pumps with a capacity of 15,000 litres per minute and 5 pumps with a capacity of 5,000 litres per minute) and 28 vehicles.[18] On Saturday, September 10 at 4:30 p.m., the THW started the first 15,000 litre pump at pumping-station No. 19. Three other 15,000 litres pumps followed. The drainage of New Orleans would have taken much more time if these pumps and the THW specialists had not been provided.[19]

The Minister-President of the federal state of Rhineland-Palatinate addressed a letter to the commanders of the American forces stationed in his state offering financial support to those affected by the flooding.

Another German Air Force cargo plane carrying several thousand military rations (MRE) was denied entry into US airspace since, according to US authorities, they were not certified BSE-free. This was disputed by German authorities, pointing out that they were BSE-free according to NATO rules, that US soldiers would eat them regularly during joint operations (e.g. Afghanistan) and that these meals fully complied to UN rules.[20]

Greece

Offered $85,000[21], two cruise ships to house those left homeless, a rescue team, and supplies.

Guatemala

Made offers of help and assistance.

Guyana

Made offers of help and assistance and is organizing a telethon to raise money for victims.

Honduras

Offered 135 flooding and sanitation experts.

Hungary

Pledged $5,000 and offered to send a Special Search and Rescue Team, and also five doctors.

Iceland

Offered $500,000.

India

India offered to contribute $5 million to the United States Red Cross for relief and rehabilitation of the victims. They also offered to donate medicines and large water purification systems for use in households and small communities in the stricken areas, where potable water was a key concern.[22] India sent tarps, blankets and hygiene kits. An Indian Air Force IL-76 aircraft delivered 25 tonnes of relief supplies for the Hurricane Katrina victims at the Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas on September 13, 2005.[23]

Indonesia

Offered to send 45 doctors and 155 other medical staffers and 10,000 blankets to help survivors.

Iran

Offered to send humanitarian aid and 20 million barrels (3,200,000 m3) of crude oil.[17][24]

Iraq

Pledged $1 million to the Red Cross via the Red Crescent.

Republic of Ireland

Offered to send 30 members of the Irish Defence Forces. The Irish army would have supplied thousands of ready meals, tents, blankets, water purification services and medical aid, including first aid kits, crutches and wheelchairs. The group would have included about ten experts in stress debriefing. Six of the troops would have operated two water purification plants. The Irish Government also announced it is to provide initial funding of EUR 1.2 million for the victims.

Israel

Offered field hospitals and hundreds of doctors, nurses, technicians and other experts in trauma, natural disasters and public health.[25]

An Israeli airlift arrived in Little Rock, Arkansas with an eighty-ton shipment of humanitarian aid, including baby food, diapers, water, ready-to-eat meals, clothes, tents, blankets, mattresses, stretchers, first aid kits, wheelchairs, and other medical supplies.

The Magen David Adom began "United Brotherhood Operation," which sent a plane-load of supplies and financial assistance.

IsraAid sent a delegation of medical personnel, psychologists, and experienced search-and-rescue divers. The 18-member team — which included physicians, mental health professionals, trauma specialists, logistics experts and a special unit of Israeli police divers — arrived in St. Bernard Parish and Plaquemines Parish on Sept. 10 and spent a week and a half assisting fire department search-and-rescue squads and sitting in on daily planning meetings that included local leadership and a complement of Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), police, military and fire representativesmedical team.[26]

Five universities in Israel welcomed displaced American students from the affected areas and invited both undergraduate and graduate students to continue their studies in Israel.[27] In particular, medical students unable to attend the Tulane University in New Orleans can attend Tel Aviv University's Sackler School of Medicine.[28]

Italy

Italy offered to send two Hercules C130 cargo aircraft fitted with emergency aids, including 300 Adult camp beds, 300 blankets, 600 sheets, 1 suction pump, 6 lifecrafts, 11.200 chlorine tablets, 5 units of large first aid kits, baby food formula pumps, tents and power generators. Italy also offered to send some experts of the Protezione Civile to help coordinating relief efforts in the damaged area.[8]

Jamaica

Made offers of help and assistance.

Japan

The Japanese Foreign Ministry said that it would provide $200,000 to the American Red Cross to assist victims of Hurricane Katrina. Japan also identified needs in affected regions via the U.S. government and provided up to $300,000 in emergency supplies such as tents, blankets and power generators if they receive requests from the U.S. for such assistance. One Japanese individual, Takashi Endo, donated USD 1 million from his personal funds to Katrina relief efforts.[13]

Jordan

Made offers of help and assistance.

Kenya

Offered $100,000.[2] There were also early reports of $400 million in petroleum products being donated from Kenya, though these later proved to be erroneous.[29]

Korea, South

Offered $ 30 million and dispatched a rescue team.[13]

Kuwait

Parliament approved $500 million for aid in oil and other humanitarian aid.

Latvia

Offered a disaster relief team.

Lithuania

Made offers of help and assistance.

Luxembourg

Team of five persons, 1000 camp beds and 2000 blankets.[8]

Malaysia

Pledged $1 million to American Red Cross.

Maldives

Sent $25,000 to American Red Cross.

Mauritania

Promised $200,000 to American Red Cross.

Malta

Made offers of help and assistance.[8]

Mexico

Main article: Mexican response to Hurricane Katrina

Kelly Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas received almost 196 Mexican troops, 14 truckloads of water, a mobile surgical unit, 45 military vehicles, 3 tons of purified water, and more than 250 tons of food, bottled water, canned food, disposable diapers and medical supplies. The Mexican Government sent $1 million through the Mexican Red Cross which collected an additional million, as well as 200 tons of food delivered in five airplanes from the Mexican Air Force by another Mexican Government body. The Mexican Navy sent two ships, 385 troopers, eight all-terrain vehicles, seven amphibious vehicles, two tankers, two helicopters, radio communication equipment, medical personnel and 296 tons of food as well. The state of Jalisco also sent four experts in disaster, while the Federal government offered to send expert teams in epidemiology and to cover the costs of returning any Mexican national back to Mexico.

Mongolia

Pledged $50,000.

Nepal

Pledged $25,000.[30]

The Netherlands

Royal Netherlands Navy Frigate Hr. Ms. Van Amstel arrived from the Netherlands Antilles. The frigate was filled with supplies and had helicopters on board that can be used in rescue actions. Further, The Netherlands sent experts on the subject of water containment and dikes, identification teams and pumps to deliver clean drinking water, F-16s with sophisticated infra red or thermography camera pods (to look for weaknesses in the levees, corpses and hidden survivors) and divers from the Royal Netherlands Marine Corps. On September 7 The U.S. government announced that it would take up the Dutch government's offer to send water pumps, and also five water management experts.

New Zealand

Main article: New Zealand response to Hurricane Katrina

Pledged $2 million though the Red Cross. This contribution was in addition to the offers the government has already made to send an Urban Search and Rescue Team, a Disaster Victim Identification team or post disaster recovery personnel.[31]

Nicaragua

Made offers of help and assistance.

Nigeria

Pledged $1 million to hurricane disaster relief.

Norway

Made offers of help and assistance. An amount of NOK 10 million was given through the Norwegian Red Cross and the UN. In addition, Norway offered divers and medicines.

Oman

Pledged $15 million.

Pakistan

On September 4 Pakistan offered to send a team of doctors and paramedics to support the relief agencies. Pakistan also pledged $1 million through the Red Cross.

Palau

Pledged $50,000.

Papua New Guinea

Promised $10,000 to American Red Cross.

Paraguay

Made offers of help and assistance.

Peru

Offered to send 80-100 doctors to help survivors.

the Philippines

Offered to send a 25-member team of aid workers. The Philippines Red Cross donated $25,000.

Poland

Made offers of help and assistance.

Portugal

Offered tents, mattresses, blankets, hygiene kits. Portugal lent 2% of its strategic oil reserve, equivalent to 500,000 barrels (79,000 m3) of oil.[citation needed]

Qatar

Pledged $100 million to the victims.[32]

Romania

Offered 2 Teams of medical experts.[8]

Russia

Was one of the first countries to offer assistance. Up to four jets were placed on standby at the Ramenskoe airport near Moscow as early as August 30, including heavy Ilyushin Il-76-TDs with special evacuation equipment, medical equipment, a water-cleansing system, a rescue helicopter BK-117 and two special cars; and a passenger IL-62, which brought 10 coordinators and 50 rescuers, as well as 6 tons of drinking water. On September 6, the Bush administration gave its approval.[33]

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Refining, a Houston-based subsidiary of state oil firm Saudi Aramco, donated $5 million to the American Red Cross, as well as $250,000 from AGFUND.

Singapore

Main article: Singaporean response to Hurricane Katrina

Three Singaporean CH-47 Chinook helicopters and thirty-eight RSAF personnel from a training detachment based in Grand Prairie, Texas assisted in relief operations from 1 September. They had so far ferried about 700 evacuees and hauled tons of supplies in 39 sorties on 4 September. One more CH-47 Chinook helicopter was sent to aid in relief efforts.[34]

Slovakia

Promised blankets, beds, first aid kits.

Slovenia

$120,000 worth of cots, mattresses, blankets, temporary shelters and first-aid kits.[35]

Spain

Spain sent 2.1 million barrels (330,000 m3) of crude oil from its strategic reserves (the 1.75% of the Spanish reserves) for a 30 day period.[36] On September 7 two Hercules cargo aircraft took off with 15 tonnes of food rations, electrical generators and batteries, medical equipment and other humanitarian assistance collected by the Agencia Española de Cooperación Internacional (AECI). A second envoy was sent a few days later.[37]

Sri Lanka

Pleged $25,000 for relief efforts.[38]

Sweden

Main article: Swedish response to Hurricane Katrina

Sweden offered to send medical and technical aid, and a Hercules cargo aircraft filled with three complete GSM systems, first aid kits, blankets, Ready-to-eat meals, generators, 2 heavy water purification plants, as well as water sanitation experts. On September 4 the U.S. State Department declined the aid, saying it was currently unable to accept foreign aid packages. On September 12 the Hercules plane left the Gothenburg-Landvetter Airport, carrying a cargo of three Ericsson GSM network systems. A team of technical consultants to help with the aid package was also provided.[39]

Switzerland

Switzerland offered specialised personnel and material to the USA and the World Health Organisation (WHO). In accordance with US requirements, 50 tonnes of rescue equipment were ready to be sent, along with two logisticians of the Direction du développement et de la coopération (DDC, "Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation") to help coordinate distributions. Four physicians and two water specialists were also put to the disposal of the WHO.

Republic of China (Taiwan)

Pledged more than $3 million to the relief effort, plus supplies.[17]

Thailand

Sent at least 60 doctors and nurses along with rice.

Tunisia

Sent two C-130s with relief supplies.

Turkey

Promised $2.5 million in cash and aid.

Uganda

Offered $200,000.[2]

United Arab Emirates

Pledged $100 million.

United Kingdom

The United Kingdom dispatched 500,000 ration packs worth EUR 3 million, to the region. However, many of the ration packs did not reach victims due to laws regarding mad cow disease[40]. It also offered medical experts, Urban Search and Rescue equipment, Marine engineers and high-volume pumps, skilled personnel including engineers who could support recovery efforts for installations and systems, technicians, staff trained in disaster management and emergency response activities. It also pledged to release an extra 2.2 million barrels (350,000 m3) of oil.[8][41]

Venezuela

President Hugo Chávez of Venezuela offered one million barrels of oil and 5 million dollars in aid to the United States. This aid was rejected by the State Department.[42] State-owned Petróleos de Venezuela, the parent company of Citgo Petroleum Corporation, has also pledged a $2 million donation for hurricane aid.[43] Two mobile hospital units were also offered, but were declined, according to Jesse Jackson.[44]

Vietnam

Pledged $100,000.

Yemen

Pledged $100,000 through the Red Cross.

[teresaq]

Originally Posted By: Gail

So, how do you tell if it's Satan or a judgment of God?

Well, for sure if the Bible or the SOP tells us which it is. Common sense along with light from these sources may also give us an idea concerning more recent events, as we can gather evidence from God's providence along with a working knowledge of how He operates.

do you think you have it pretty well-figured out, steve, or do you think you have more to learn about how God operates, does His "judgments"?

[LifeHiscost]

maybe, as a country, we make more of what we do than what others do. (?)

I received an email a couple of days ago, with a picture of a mid-ranking military man from the U. S., sleeping in a chair, holding the sole surviving child of a family that had been slaughtered by insurgents, citizens of the same country. The child would only stop crying when held by this particular man, having been shot by those of her own country.

I'll send that email to anyone who would like to see it as I'm sure the picture will never show up in headline news.

I know of two nations that are major players in the world economy today, countries that were conquered by the U.S. and given a leg-up so they could achieve despite the fact they both were the initiators of the war they lost.

Give me one other example of a country helped by the country that conquered them, that then went on to peace and security as a result of the efforts of their conquerors.

Joy!!

[Woody]

Quote:

"God will work in their behalf, Man's extremity is God's opportunity." Ellen White

[GreatLakesGramma]

Thank you for sharing that information, Lazarus.

[Woody]

Yes. I would also be interested in how much of the money that was 'pledged' or 'promised' ... was actually given.

[rudywoofs (Pam)]

Below is a list of countries who offered aid. Some of these efforts were not formally accepted by the U.S. government

Don't really like long posts but....

Well, I SAID I might be wrong!!!!!

moinwotf

[Dr. Shane]

So, how do you tell if it's Satan or a judgment of God?

I think when it is the judgment of God, He sends a prophet to tell us so. I don't think God goes around causing natural disasters and leaving us guessing if it was Him or Satan.

[Dr. Shane]

Don't really like long posts but....

I would have never guessed.