687 UN still lagging in relief for Tsunami victims

Diplomad is a career foreign service officer who blogs under a pseudonym. On day 9 of the disaster s/he writes:

"In this part of the tsunami-wrecked Far Abroad, the UN is still nowhere to be seen where it counts, i.e., feeding and helping victims. The relief effort continues to be a US-Australia effort, with Singapore now in and coordinating closely with the US and Australia. Other countries are also signing up to be part of the US-Australia effort. Nobody wants to be "coordinated" by the UN. The local UN reps are getting desperate. They're calling for yet another meeting this afternoon--" Read the full account(s) here. World Food Program has finally arrived with an assessment team. Doesn't this sound like committees and task forces you've been on at work? Assess, deny, die.

Diplomad goes on to say this is absolutely no joke: "The team has spent the day and will likely spend a few more setting up their "coordination and opcenter" at a local five-star hotel. And their number one concern, even before phones, fax and copy machines? Arranging for the hotel to provide 24hr catering service. USAID folks already are cracking jokes about 'The UN Sheraton.' "

This is really sickening. Worse than the tourists who returned to the beaches while bodies were still rotting. At least they were already on vacation--not planning one at the expense of the victims.

Compare that story to the one Amit has to tell--about neighbor helping neighbor, Muslim helping Hindu, a couple giving up their wedding feast to feed the victims. It is a wonderful story.