They’ve got this right. From a detailed Reuters report this New Year’s Eve:
BANDA ACEH, Indonesia (Reuters) – Aircraft, naval vessels and trucks struggled Friday to deliver aid around stricken southern Asia as the death toll passed more than 124,000 from a tsunami that darkened the world’s New Year.
A dark New Year’s Eve indeed. Millions homeless in South Asia, thousands still missing (including tourists from over 36 countries), aid organizations trying to do all they can in such a wide area, governments grappling with making unenviable decisions on how to get relief as quickly as possible to where it’s needed. (Latest info: BBC News Asia Quake Disaster pages.)
Such a terrible tragedy that, even nearly a week after the event, understanding the true scale of it is still difficult to do.
It may sound a little trite under the circumstances, but I would like to wish every visitor to my blog a Happy and Peaceful New Year celebration.
You too Neville. I thought about commenting on my blog on the tsunami, but what can one say? I’m just relieved that the four people I knew in the area are ok.
Let’s make 2005 a better year for all.
Thanks, Ton.
Making 2005 a better year – I’ll raise a glass to that!