Washington Post: Most Katrina Aid From Overseas Went Unclaimed

The Washington Post reported today how the U.S. government failed to collect most of the $854 million in aid offered in response to the Hurricane Katrina disaster. This only further underlines the clear double-standard in how the government responded to the victims of the 9/11 attacks versus those of Katrina.

An excerpt from the article:

...the U.S. government was turning down many allies' offers of manpower, supplies and expertise worth untold millions of dollars. Eventually the United States also would fail to collect most of the unprecedented outpouring of international cash assistance for Katrina's victims.

Allies offered $854 million in cash and in oil that was to be sold for cash. But only $40 million has been used so far for disaster victims or reconstruction, according to U.S. officials and contractors. Most of the aid went uncollected, including $400 million worth of oil. Some offers were withdrawn or redirected to private groups such as the Red Cross. The rest has been delayed by red tape and bureaucratic limits on how it can be spent.

In addition, valuable supplies and services -- such as cellphone systems, medicine and cruise ships -- were delayed or declined because the government could not handle them. In some cases, supplies were wasted.

Read the rest of the article:

• Washington Post: Most Katrina Aid From Overseas Went Unclaimed