Charity begins at Home.

We all dipped deep in our pockets for the Asian disaster, but my heart is sad to think that we have all watched the disaster that has befallen the poor people in Carlisle and not a mention of a fund to help them.
Many people have lost furniture, carpets, kitchen equipment etc and are still unable to return to their homes. Sadly there are lots of them who are uninsured and what are they going to do about replacements? It may not be on the same scale as the problems in Asia, but nontheless it is the same for those families who have suffered in Carlisle.

[Mattylad]

Somehow I don't quite think that it's entirely the same.

In asia they lost entire towns, not just the contents of the houses. The houses went too. They did not have the option of insurance let alone having it.
here in the west we are much better off & can recover from floods a lot better than in Asia.

Those that are really in need will get help, but what's "really in need" in the UK?
Downstairs is all wet, a new 3 piece, washing machine et all is needed because it's easier to replace them than dry & clean them.
We can fix up our houses within a few weeks once dried, replacing items can be done very easily (apart from the obvious sentimental ones).

In the Tsunami affected areas, they lost the house that didn't contain the orange box that was thier 3 piece suite & the washing machine is still in flood (river).

Over here if anyone gets to be homeless or ill then there are institutions that will take them in, over there there are not, they just get a new cardboard box if they can scrounge one.

Charity does belong at home, but I for one do not begrudge them what has been sent.
Myself I sent my Xmas cash when I got it yesterday.

[wayneyboy1942]

I've got to agree with Matty all I can add is that I just hope all the aid sent goes to the people and not go astray.

[grannyclaret]

whats going on in the world ?now theres snow and floods in calafornia .there are more bush fires in austrialia , it must be something to do with the ozone layer ,i dont begrude anyone aid ,

I never suggested that we shouldn't support the Asian Disaster or that we shouldn't continue to do so. My line of thought was the swiftness of response to the Boncastle in Cornwall flooding last year when money poured in to help the victims there. If that flooding had taken place after the the events in Asia, would there have been as little sympathy?

[carriebuk]

I don't think there is a lack of sympathy at all with these people, I just think that in light of the current events in Asia, the world is concentrated on the worst affected people out there.

Whole generations of families have disappeared. Tens of thousands are dead, their bodies thrown into mass graves in an attempt to stop disease. Orphaned children wander the streets searching for the bodies of their relatives. They don't have any fresh water to drink, or clothes to wear, let alone a roof over their heads.

Imagine losing almost (or all as in some cases) your entire family, and friends? Including your parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins - children?

They do not have the luxury of insurance, benefits, local charities providing clothing, temporary accommodation provided by the government, etc. Many of them didn't have much before the disaster happened!

As a new mother I cannot possibly imagine how mothers must feel having lost their babies; or having to feed their children from contaminated sources, knowing that they could die.

I am sure the people of Carlisle will receive the help they need, and we do sympathise with them, and I am also conviced that money and clothing has already been donated and will continue to be - it's just that at this moment in time, much of our help is needed elsewhere.

[grannyclaret]

yes i agree ,it was the same in granada in the carribean last year ,it was not long after we had been on holiday there, and the feeling of utter despair there , was much more felt because we had actualy met the people ,we had seen the cricket ground where brian lara had made his 300 plus runs ,(it was completely destroyed )
and we saw all the spices that was their bread and butter living ,(all the trees were uprooted ) i hope with time it will be allright ,they are a resillient lot .