Syria is one of the first countries helping out with relief efforts? That is interesting!
Interesting, indeed!
On the other hand, friends help their friends, and since Syria is their friend, it makes sense that Syria would offer to help the DPRK, even if it were a natural disaster.
Also, dictatorships often accept aid in a particular order, preferring not to accept aid from enemy countries unless absolutely necessary. So, they would accept aid from China and Syria before accepting aid from the US.
After the earthquake in Bam, Iran, (sometime around the San Simeon earthquake in CA, which occurred a few days before Christmas in 2003), Iran accepted aid from everyone -- even the US -- except Israel.
At least those "Axis of Evil" guys stick up for one another.
As the saying goes, "Birds of a feather, flock together". Interesting indeed yet not surprising.