Free Republic

As donations from around the world pour into Asia to provide food, water, and medical supplies in the wake of the tsunami disaster, the United Nations is rushing condoms and other "necessities" to the victims. "Free condoms are among the first reproductive health supplies to reach people caught in a crisis situation...UNFPA provides both male and female condoms in emergencies," boasts the United Nations Population Fund (UNPFA). According to Austin Ruse of the Catholic Family & Human Rights Institute, the United Nations Population Fund is requesting $28 million for "the reestablishment of basic reproductive health services." This will be accomplished...

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A tragedy that could make - or break - the troubled UN Simon Tisdall Saturday January 8, 2005 The Guardian George Bush took his time before responding in person to the tsunami disaster. When he finally faced the press on December 29, his comments proved provocative. Speaking at his holiday ranch in Crawford, Texas, the US president raised his initial aid offer from $15m (£8.2m) to $35m (£19.3m). Then he announced that America was taking charge. "We've established a regional core group with India, Japan and Australia to help coordinate relief efforts," Mr Bush said. Meanwhile, the US military...

UN 'failing to co-ordinate relief efforts' By David Ibison and Jake Lloyd Smith in Banda Aceh Published: January 7 2005 02:00 | Last updated: January 7 2005 02:00 Kofi Annan, secretary-general of the United Nations, lands in the tsunami-ravaged Indonesian city of Banda Aceh today amid growing frustration on the part of aid agencies over what they say is the UN's inability to co-ordinate the world's response to the disaster. The UN is being criticised for its failure to organise dozens of aid groups in and around Banda Aceh more than a week and a half after the tsunami hit...