Who would help us?

[marsden1967]

I've been watching the coverage about the Philippines disaster and subsequent appeals for aid. It has got me thinking; if a disaster on such a scale were to befall the UK, who would help us? Certainly not, our so called closest ally the US, Obama has nothing but disdain for us. I can't think of anyone who would help apart from maybe the Aussies and Kiwi, even then I'm not sure.
So who do you think would help us and why?
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current bike(s) YBR 125, ER6 N

[The Artist]

Why wouldn't the US help us?

We have a pretty decent infrastructure compared to the Philippines and so long as the entire country isn't wiped out we should be helping ourselves mostly.

[JonB]

No-one cause we don't need it.

I am rather peeved that my landlord hasn't repaired my fallen fence panel that got taken out a week after the "Great Storm of 2013" by a 20mph breeze though.
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Be careful whose advice you buy, but, be patient with those who supply it. Advice is a form of nostalgia, dispensing it is a way of fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts and recycling it for more than it?s worth.

[Al]

[Vincent]

We could all migrate to somewhere in Europe......maybe find work and do OK.
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Space Is Deep

[The Artist]

[Harold_Shand]

Watch Eurovision. We will be left to eat each other.
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BCF's 6th favourite poster 2009-2010

Harold_Shand's theory might be the best explanation.

[Wafer_Thin_Ham]

I'm sure China would chuck us several billion yuan in aid with some nice strings attached.

Just like we do to everyone else funnily enough.
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[-Matt-]

Whats really shameful is when you compare our ''generous donations'' of a few million for essential aid to masses of homeless, sick and dying - to the larger annual donations of ''aid'' to countries with huge wealth, who manage to afford aircraft carriers and space programs

[oldpink]

my mantra is charity begins at home
my home our "foreign aid policy" is a joke we only give to country's we deem are good for trade or other kickback, in one way or another
it always comes with strings attached

don't get me wrong I am watching this situation as I know people who live there
and I feel sorry for them and hope the people I know are well
but the people I know are in the north and missed the worst of the impact
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I have become comfortably numb

Theory & hazard 24-may 2016, CBT 8th June 2016, MOD 1 2nd Aug 2016 Mod 2 2nd-Nov 2016 - Current bike CBR 600 RR

[-Matt-]

If they were genuienely concerned with pain and suffering money would be given in advance of such a disaster to aid prevention and planning against such loss of life.

However they spend billions on barely monitored 'aid' to disputably worthy countries and donate token pocket change when a load of people suddenly die as it saves face and saves any real cost.

It could be equated to mass murder if someone ever sat down pen to paper to justify the wage>tax>budget>value equation these genius 'advisors' and 'experts' endorse.

[oldpink]

can't quote the source right now but I read a report that said 90% of charity money is used for bribes or is stolen by corrupt officials
but at the end of the day 90 p of your pound does not reach the intended victims
or gets paid to there "Staff"
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I have become comfortably numb

Theory & hazard 24-may 2016, CBT 8th June 2016, MOD 1 2nd Aug 2016 Mod 2 2nd-Nov 2016 - Current bike CBR 600 RR

[-Matt-]

Probably about right..

Even good ole' red cross has its administratives and structual costs etc. People syphon the pipe every inch it travels. The poor sod at the end that recieves it rarely ever ends up better off. Just restored to the same fragile precarious position they lived in before humanitarian-crisis-x. Charity does save lives. But sadly rarely improves them, and regularly aids the selfish lives of people along the drip line before it ever reaches the needy.

[G]

[-Matt-]

Their governments are more impressive than ours id say, they convince everyone the countries developing and a world leader whilst keeping 100s of millions in poverty. Yet it all ticks by happily. Odd henious crime resulting in a death sentance tides the populations anger venting over.

Few EU pickpockets here and we're all pitchforks n torches (online).. UK media management is in the dark ages

[G]

Well, needing suicide nets outside the apply factory worker's windows is exactly WHY the BRIC countries are doing nicely, I'd suggest .

It will be interesting to see how it develops as they develop.
As more people get more money and expectations, fairly universally this has led to the people at the bottom expecting more and thus production moving to places where the people don't have these ages.

Of course, a bit scary for us when China ends up churning out decent computer code!

[-Matt-]

China i think wears bigger boots than it fits. I lived there 3 years some time ago and little has changed besides international perception now days. It expands - bloats would be more appropropriate, especially economocally, faster than it develops. Its a nation of repressed and angry people. Imagine DPRK expanded greatly and equipped with internationally approachable and marketable individuals. The bigger it is the harder it is to notice the failures. But a tower full of broken bricks will tumble one day.

Brazil has potential but with US dominance over south america it would be a struggle.

Russia, well... the dying bear.

Which leaves little old india. Well placed culturally, religiously and economically. Id expect a lot more 'Made in india' in my lifetime

[ScaredyCat]

[daemonoid]

[daemonoid]

[G]

I was thinking of that.
Also, similarly - America didn't really need foreign aid, just needed to sort it's self out!

Noticable how there was very little looting and nastiness in Japan, while quite a lot in the US.

I suspect we'd fall somewhere inbetween.

[ScaredyCat]