at SOME dollar figure, the "humanitarian" aid lapses into defacto indemnification unless is is reasonably structured.
Overall, this "pledge" situation is becoming oneupsmanship.
Meanwhile, the USA continues to actually insert humanitarian aid into remote areas.
All aid has both loans and grants from governments..Some like France(I read)do loans exclusively.
http://diplomadic.blogspot.com/
Aussies and Yanks continue to carry the overwhelming bulk of the burden, but some other fine folks also have jumped in: e.g., the New Zealanders have provided C-130 lift and an excellent and much-needed potable water distribution system; the Singaporeans have provided great helo support; the Indians have a hospital ship taking position off Sumatra. Spain and Netherlands have sent aircraft with supplies.
snip
The only fault The Diplomad can find with the Dutch report is that it understates the role of the Australians in the relief effort -- they deserve considerably more credit than this report gives them. It's hard to praise the Aussies too much for what they have done in the wake of the tsunami. They are absolutely splendid -- too bad they've got that thing about that weird game, uh, cricket, is it?
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1314419/posts
"Indonesia has asked Australia to come into the heart of its Government and help lead the reconstruction of its tsunami-stricken regions, a diplomatic coup for the Prime Minister, John Howard, but a setback for the United Nations. "..snip
Seems the UN in its five star hotel accomodations , 24hour room service, requirements will not be "in charge"..
Do read on down the diplomadic link and see the true UN face.
http://diplomadic.blogspot.com/