BBC:
Americans have rallied to give an unprecedented amount of aid in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.They have already pledged around $587m (£319) - more than initial donations for 9/11 and the Asian tsunami - according to a newspaper that tracks charitable giving.
But it is not just money that Americans, touched by the tragedy unfolding on their doorstep, are giving.
They have opened their homes, their businesses and their livelihoods to help the hundreds of thousands affected by the storm.
Dozens of adverts offering free accommodation, jobs and relocation packages have been posted on websites.
Shannon Hunter is offering a home to a single mother of two or three children in a "great neighbourhood" of Asheville, North Carolina, close to an "excellent school".
...
A small manufacturing firm near Topeka in Kansas is advertising for three skilled machinists and says it will give priority to victims of the hurricane.
Brad Wenger, Vice-President of Wenger Manufacturing, says it is a chance to offer longer-term benefits to people, but denies it exploits their misfortune.
"We have a need for several machinist positions so if someone's willing to relocate, that would also help us and hopefully we can help them out also," he said.
Brad Snook, who has offered rooms in his Chicago apartment, said: "I don't know how you couldn't come to this decision when you see what people have gone through".
...
The American Red Cross says it has already received $485m in gifts and pledges. It is "the largest response to a single disaster" in its history, says vice-president Joe Becker.
The Chronicle of Philanthropy newspaper, which tracks the contributions, has calculated that Americans have given at least $587m.
This compares with $239m in the 10 days after the 9/11 attacks, and $163m collected nine days after the tsunami.
Comments
Post a Comment