Canada, France, U.K. Militaries Dispatch Aid to U.S. Gulf Coast

It's too late for rescue, but it's still important for relief and recovery.

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000082&sid=aVNFcJT07zSs&refer=canada

Sept. 6 (Bloomberg) -- Canada, France, Germany and Britain are among countries whose militaries are coming to the aid of the U.S. in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, according to interviews with officials and government statements.

Canada's Defense Department sent four ships to the Gulf of Mexico coast today with about 1,000 soldiers to help with evacuations and rescue efforts, and earlier deployed divers to assist the U.S. Navy. France's military is dispatching a team with personnel, tents and food, while Germany's air force hauled 45 tons of military meals and will bring civilian engineers to run high-powered water pumps in Louisiana.

It is not a sign of weakness or failure on the part of the US, or its government, that it needs or accepts this aid.

And it is not a sign of moral superiority on the part of any of the donor nations that they offer and provide it.

Disasters on this scale are human disasters, not any country's private disasters.

http://www.forces.gc.ca/site/Operations/unison/index_e.asp

Katrina was one of the most powerful storms to hit the United States and has left behind significant damage. The Canadian Forces extends our sincere condolences to the families of the victims of this crisis and to those who have endured the devastation brought by this tragic event.

http://www.forces.gc.ca/site/Operations/unison/news_e.asp
Regularly updated news releases from the Canadian Forces -- also contains earlier statements by the Prime Minister and Chief of Defence Staff on preparedness.

http://www.forces.gc.ca/site/Newsroom/view_news_e.asp?id=1739

Operation UNISON 2005:

Our close allies and friends are going through very difficult times, a situation well beyond anything we could have ever anticipated. Fortunately, things are slowly starting to improve for the thousands of citizens affected by Hurricane Katrina, as relief efforts expand in the southern region of the U.S.

The Government of Canada offered to help where we could and our neighbours have accepted that offer. That is what being friends and allies is all about - being there in times of need.

Canada and the CF stand by its neighbour and will provide the necessary resources to help its closest ally and friend in its time of need.

The CF has moved quickly to contribute to the ongoing support provided by the Government of Canada to the U.S. relief effort in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. Ships, aircraft and CF personnel from the Navy, Army and the Air Force are deploying to the affected area to provide much needed assistance.

Today, we are helping our friends and neighbours in difficulty. It is our duty to assist them and we will go as far and will stay for as long as necessary to accomplish our mission. We join them in their efforts and will not let them down. They would do the same for us if we were in need.

We have no doubt that it is our duty -- and y'all can post "thanks" if you want, but really, we just want *you*, and especially people affected, to know that what we feel is solidarity. I think most people do, and don't see such events as opportunities to be charitable or gain the moral high ground for some future use. And I think other people need to feel that others do stand in solidarity, and to know it if they don't.

Something I didn't know:

Operation TEMPEST in 1992 was the Canadian Forces response to Hurricane Andrew. Approximately 150 Airfield Engineers deployed to Dade County, Florida. The replenishment ship HMCS Protecteur went to Miami and the Bahamas with relief supplies.

So this isn't quite the first time that the US has been offered and accepted international aid, although still, the neighbours don't quite count as international.

we're soooo international.

keep doing both!