The destruction caused by a class 4 hurricane hitting New Orleans was not
unanticipated. For many of us though, the inability to provide immediate
rescue and relief operations to the victims of Hurricane Katrina has come as
a shocking surprise. How is it that the most powerful nation on Earth cannot
get adequate shelter and food to the people of southern Louisiana? The future
will, I hope, bring soul-searching answers and honest reflection on the lack
of preparedness and the wisdom of rebuilding across New Orleans.
But for now, all Americans must step forth into the arena of giving
— of money, of resources; of time, of prayer. If you can, please give
money directly to a reputable relief agency, such as the American Red Cross
(http://www.redcross.org; for more
agencies, see
http://www.networkforgood.org/topics/animal_environ/hurricanes).
Tens of thousands of souls — perhaps hundreds — will be sheltered
in coming months in stadiums and anywhere else governments can find. They
will need food, water, and other necessities. It is time for a collective
belt tightening in America — it is time for sacrificial individual
giving.
Even so, the world can ill afford for us to pull back from humanitarian
aid abroad. We must not let this tragedy detract from public and private
foreign aid, from the momentum for reform of international institutions, for
debt relief, for sustainable development. Please look deep in your hearts and
wallets, giving as you can to insure both adequate long-term relief for the
refugees of Hurricane Katrina and continued support for disaster recovery and
development assistance worldwide.