Of course, I didn't mention that the UN official was speaking of both the US and the European Union, who initially offered a whopping $4.1 million dollars to the relief efforts. Along with their own planes to rescue their own people. Considering the paltry amount of aid they are offering, it is damn generous they didn't insist the Sri Lankan authorities evacuate them at least, like Kohl did.

The aid response from the governments of Europe and the US to this tragedy has been pathetic. We should be deeply ashamed at the paltry amount the world's wealthiest nations, who have no compunctions about exploiting the region as their tourist paradise, have offered. There is simply no excuse for their being so closefisted and parsimonious about relief to the area.