Ive been watching this on the news all morning. This is terrible. The death toll is greater than 22,000 and rising. I expect alot more will die of disease if aid is not given fast.
Was also wondering Mink - you said you were going to Sri lanka tomorrow - thank God you weren't already there as Sri lanka was one of the worst places hit! I take it you've had to cancel your holiday?

Just makes you feel very lucky that we don't have to deal with disasters like this, doesn't it? As well as extremely ignorant and inconsiderate when we complain about a smattering of rain.

I've been watching this on and off too PJ and it does make you realise how lucky we are over here......

My next door neighbour has gone on a 3 month round the world trip, and she only left Sri lanka a few days ago to head for Austraila, Thank God she did.

This whole disaster is a terrible tragedy really. I've been watching the news with interest, as I have been to quite a few of the places that have been decimated by the tidal wave. In recent years we have visited both Sri Lanka and Medufushi Island in the Maldives. Both were beuatiful places in their own ways. Sri Lanka is rich in culture and history and has been devloping economically in leaps and bounds - the people of Sri Lanka were rightly proud of how far their country had come in terms of social and economic development. I wonder how much of their work has been lost? :sad: With Medufushi island - I wonder if its still there! It was tiny - you could walk the circumference of the Island in 20 minutes - to walk across from one side to the other took only 5 minutes! It was practically ON sea level!

The greatest tragedy about this whole disaster is that many of the countries that have been hit are amoung the poorest in the world. Which probably influenced their decision NOT to have an expensive early warning system inplace such as the kind that is in existence for countries on the Pacific.

Very sad. :sad:

I feel awful about what has happened over there, and it breaks my heart to see the images on the TV. I understand the devastation, but I do feel the media are being a little too graphic. Imagine being there and having to retrieve all those bodies. I wonder how those people will ever get those images out of their minds. It's horrible. How on earth will these poor, poor people ever get over this? :unsure:

It is one of the poorer economic areas of the world, and I have wondered how they will rebuild and come through this. I really hope that the rest of the world gets it's act together and helps with this greatly. I saw the other night on TV that Britain sent a plane out there with 240 family size tents. Now out of how many of the million or so that are homeless is that going to help? :angry: Surely we as a nation can afford to send much more than the £370,000 that the Government is sending. We spend more on weapons to blow up people than help people live.

It is also going to be difficult throughout all the coming weeks when the diseases start hitting, as they will. They have no fresh water, decomposing bodies and heat. It's not a good combination at all. How many more people will lose their lives?

And of course, we now have the knee jerk reactions of how there could have been more preparation. But I don't see really how much preparation could have helped in a catastrophe such as this. Maybe helped those in shores that were further away and took the Tsunami longer to reach. But the initial ones in any case would have had no warning. It's sad, very sad. :sad:

Surely we as a nation can afford to send much more than the £370,000 that the Government is sending. We spend more on weapons to blow up people than help people live.

:sad:
Here here Tiggs!!!

The day after the Tsunami struck I heard an Australian Government representative saying that Australia were pledging 10 million to the aid releif, and what were we sending some tents and some petty cash???

Thankfully, following negaitve comments, from the otherwise neutral United Nations, the UK have upped their relief donation from 1 million to 15 million, making it the second largest worldwide. Of course, it is not a competition to see who can send the most - but like Tiggs says our defence budget is gargantuan and the majority unneccessary, when you look at the likes of Iraq!!

This sort of donation pales into insignificant when you see the acts of kindness displayed by the Sri Lankans towards the western tourists, giving them clothes and water, despite having little or nothing themselves!! I am nearly ashamed to be called British today!!

Simon and I intended to spend Xmas and New Year in Phuket this year. The only reason we didn't is because our house sale fell through.

I can't believe how fortunate it was that happened, in retrospect. :huh:

The images shown on TV are just horrific, words simply cannot describe the devestation. And as been pointed out, it has hit the world's poorest countries and it will take years for them to get back what has been lost.

My friend is on honeymoon in Thailand and was based in Phuket. They were actually on a cruise out at sea when the tsumani hit Thailand. I received a text from her late on Boxing Day to say they were ok, they were still out at sea but could see the devestation on the shores. However, she texted me yesterday to say that she was not prepered for what they saw when they arrived back in Phuket, everywhere is littered with bodies and the smell is just awful. They are just thankful for their lives.

I agree Tiggs, the media are graphic and I cannot help but be transfixed when it shown on TV. In my local paper today, it shows a wall of photos of dead people and most of them are children.

We should withdraw our troops from Iraq and focus on uniting the world after this tragedy, I somehow think that won't happen......... :sad:

It does kind of put your own life into perpective though, doesn't it? All those little things that irratate us, take a back seat to what is happening to those poor people. At least the tourists who have survived can come home, I know the events will prey on their minds for a long time, but they will be back in the comfort of their homes, getting on with their lives whilst the people who actually live there will have to stay and fight on.

My friend is on honeymoon in Thailand and was based in Phuket. They were actually on a cruise out at sea when the tsumani hit Thailand.
I was wondering about people who were out in boats. I would've thought all the boats would have capsised!
I heard one tourist say that alot of other tourists went out on cruises that morning and didn't return afterwards. Your friend is very lucky, bella!

FFS get your money where your mouths are and onto this site:

http://www.dec.org.uk (http://www.dec.org.uk/)

We've donated quite a bit of money already. I think everyone should donate at least something - it's better than nothing and they definately need it more than us right now.

I heard one newsreader saying that today the seas were calm and many people were back on the beach sunbathing - take about being insensitive! :angry:

FFS get your money where your mouths are and onto this site:

http://www.dec.org.uk (http://www.dec.org.uk/)
eh.. bit harsh Lucy considering many of us probably have, FFS!!!!

Thank you for that Lucy. It didn't even cross my mind that I could donate :unsure: for some reason, so I appreciate that information.

The GBP have already raised 20 million in 2 [or is it 3] days??

Fantastic figure, lets hope it is continuing and long lasting. The more we pledge the more money in the pound actually goes to where it is supposed to, I think on this figure we would be looking at 99.5 pence going to the disaster zones!!

And yes we have donated, and I am taking a bucket round the pub tomorrow night, with any luck I aim to get about 500 quid [I still don't have my pound sign]

Hoorah the British Gov - have upped their donation to 50 mill, after they were put to shame by their public couterparts to the tune of upwards of 25 mill. Well done UK.

Today was the first time I shed some tears for what has happened. I went to work this morning and had to compose a theological reflection [for the Sunday service without the aid of a vicar] for the first Sunday after Xmas.

Words and intelligence failed me but I found a prayer of bereavement that encompassed the deaths of the thousands, the grief of the millions and the long lasting effects of the world. I sat alone in my lonely office and cried, I cried when I came home and held my 6 year old in my arms and thanked God I still had my children alive and with me.

I cannot begin to imagine the suffering of those over there, the ones who have lost a loved one - but cannot find them must be agony beyond belief, paltry [and I say that metaphorically] donations, even massive [again relatively] donations cannot take away the pain of loss that these people of the world feel, for those that believe in God - one has to question WHY??? I do and know no answer - do you?

The Times 1 Jan 2005:-

Page 1 - British Public donates £60 Mmillion to Tsunami Appeal.

Page 5 - British public spends £4 Billion on New Years Eve Partying.

The Times 1 Jan 2005:-

Page 1 - British Public donates £60 Mmillion to Tsunami Appeal.

Page 5 - British public spends £4 Billion on New Years Eve Partying.

Yeah, Scooby put the whole thing into perspective! I watched the fireworks that were set off around Edinburgh and they were stunning, but I would have been happy for there to be no fireworks and the money that was to be spent on them sent to the Tsunami Appeal. There are seven hills in Edinburgh and there were fireworks set off from every one plus the Castle, just imagine how much money was set off in smoke...................... :sad:

Bella that was Spooky, not Scooby!

Spooky, where have you been??

Hi Peej!

Have been doing my metaphorical 40 days and nights in the wilderness......

This MB (Haydon, you obviously are a saint) is like a really good old friend - you don't see them for years and when you meet up again, it's like you've never been apart!

Hope to catch up with all soon!

Bella that was Spooky, not Scooby!

Spooky, where have you been??

You ARE right Peej!!! Silly me! WB Spooky, it's good to see yah!! Stay around now, won't you? :) How's things?

I have just realised that one of the official dead is a close friend's daughter, they are distraught. Only 23 with a life before her.....

I have just realised that one of the official dead is a close friend's daughter, they are distraught. Only 23 with a life before her.....


I am really sorry to hear that and very sorry for your friend's loss.

I have just realised that one of the official dead is a close friend's daughter, they are distraught. Only 23 with a life before her.....

It is a sad fact that almost every country in this world could potentially have victims that have been killed in the tsunami. I am so sorry to hear about your friend's daughter, Tobule.

I read sickening stories today of people now cashing in on this awful disaster: there are people posing as guardians to young orphans who are in fact part of paedophile rings, women and children are being raped, there are looting and robberies taking place, there have been appeal funds stolen from bars etc..........what is it with these sick-minded people? Is this disaster not a message that evil has to stop? It makes sick to think that people can turn their minds to evil when so much sadness and despair is going on around them.

It is a sad fact that almost every country in this world could potentially have victims that have been killed in the tsunami. I am so sorry to hear about your friend's daughter, Tobule.

I read sickening stories today of people now cashing in on this awful disaster: there are people posing as guardians to young orphans who are in fact part of paedophile rings, women and children are being raped, there are looting and robberies taking place, there have been appeal funds stolen from bars etc..........what is it with these sick-minded people? Is this disaster not a message that evil has to stop? It makes sick to think that people can turn their minds to evil when so much sadness and despair is going on around them.
Oh dear Tobule - so sorry to hear your news.


But Bella - I am thoroughly sickened by the above, I hadn't heard that .. although I did hear that people had tried to set up bogus donation lines to scam the public out of their donations.

But OMG - wouldn't you think that a disaster on this scale that has affected nearly every country one way or another, would bring some sort of cessation of evil?? God it really angers me this sort of thing.

I have just realised that one of the official dead is a close friend's daughter, they are distraught. Only 23 with a life before her.....

I am so sorry to hear your news Tobule :hug:

Tobule that's terrible news. I really feel for you're friends family right now.

Just heard today that the number of Britons officially dead is 200! I hope it doesn't rise much more but have a feeling it probably will.

Who observed the 3 minutes silence today?

I was out shopping and was in TKMax. At 12 o'clock everyone stopped what they were doing except for one old couple who stood discussing some item of clothing for the full 3 minutes. I honestly don't think they did it on purpose they were just so intent on what they were looking at they simply didn't notice.

Yeah Max I did - I was moving furniture [and quite honestly had forgotten about the silence] and my nephew shouted 'is today a special day cos they are having a silence?'

So we all shut up for 3 mins - and watched the telly!! I am always moved to tears over nationwide silences!! Today was no exception.

I didn't observe the silence quite simply becasue one minute it was 11.15 and the next time I looked at the clock it was 1pm! I was working flat out. Since boxing day I've had plenty of quiet moments of contemplation on my own so I don't feel bad about not taking part today.

This 3 minue silence has sparked quite a debate though. Listening to the radio tonight there are many people who were offended because their workplace didn't observe it and on the other hand people who think that three minutes is OTT and silence should only be observed for the war heros.
My view is that it can't hurt to be silent in respect, and with all the european countries taking part it shows we are united in sadness and a willingness to do something. But as one who didn't observe it today I don't feel bad about it becasue the dead don't need my silence, but the living will benefit (I really hope) by the donations I have made and will continue to do so as long as I can afford it and as long as it is needed.

There was only me & Abbie in the house when the 3 minute silence was on. I did stop and stay silent and spookily enough so did Abbie!! She did look at the TV in a strange way and then put her finger to her lips and made a shhing noise! It was really quite sweet and like Flip, I was also moved to tears. Katie's school went back today and they all observed the 3 minute silence.

I did observe the silence today and the children who were at school, did as well.

You know flooding would be one of the things in a poll of natural disasters that you would not perhaps put as number one.

But as bad as this Tsunami is, it is not the worst in history, though flooding was still the main culprit.

Floods

Floods usually occur in the middle and lower reaches of the major rivers in China. These floods are experienced on a recurring basis along this and other river systems in China. The periodic severe flooding associated with these heavy rainfall events kill from several thousand to several hundred thousand people. During this century major flooding disasters occurred in 1900,1911, 1915,1931,1935,1950, 1954,1959, 1991 and 1998 mainly in the Yangtze River Valley.

Yangtze River Flood, 1931.The summer flood along the Yangtze during July- August 1931 was the most severe, with over 51 million people affected (1/4 of China’s population). 3.7 million people perished from this greatest disaster of the century due to disease, starvation or drowning. This flood was preceded by a prolonged drought in China during the 1928- 1930 period.

3.7 MILLION!
That is a frightening amount of deaths.

The only good thing i can say is that we can take heart from the fact that life eventually came back on track.
With the aid that is there for this latest Tsunami disaster, and the thoughts of the world behind it, as incomprehensible as it seems now, this will too.

We cannot undo natures irks, we have to learn from them and move on.

I was asking my 5 year old if he had the silence in his school, well he doesn't tell me much about what he does at school at the best of times but he said they all sat on the carpet and talked about the "big wave". He told me how he said in class that he was going to get a bottle and put a message in it and send it out to sea to reach the people to wish them well:wub:

He told me how he said in class that he was going to get a bottle and put a message in it and send it out to sea to reach the people to wish them well:wub:
Awwww Andrea, what a poppet!!

And talking of children, as I see the children left behind; either orphaned or injured or abandoned - I wonder what goes through their little heads. Are they old and mature enough to actually comprehend what has happened to them, what their lives and futures hold - and whether they will be able to cope in the future? And then I go onto wonder that I doubt I could cope - so how do we expect those little ones to cope? But then, their lives are so different to ours - and maybe they will. But either way it just makes me so deeply sad and wretched to think of teeny tots left with physical and mental scars that may never ever heal.

Flip, like you, it is the children that get to me, not that the adult suffering isn't any more traumatic. These sort of communites that have been hit are just that, very close knit communities where generations of families have just been wiped out. I try to imagine what my kids and children around that I know would be like if suddenly their parents and their peers were to disappear and it just becomes too much to bear. Their lives maybe more simplistic than ours but the closeness of their families and communities are probably stronger than ours, so their loss of parents, relatives and friends is just huge. There is already statements like The Tsunami Generation. Hopefully with the help of other countries in the world we can rebuild their communities and give them back a decent sort of life that they once knew, but as for the emotional scars, who knows if they will ever ever disappear.

Loosely, still on the subject of children, I am amazed at the relatively large number of famous peoples relatives who have been killed by the tsunami.

When you think of the number of British tourists who have been killed, then to have the grand-daughter of Sir Richard Attenborough, the grandson of Sgt Bill Cryer [from the bill][only 2 months old] and Charlie Dimmock's Mum and Step-dad all wiped out - then IMO that represents quite a high proportion.

I suspect everyone knows someone who knows someone who has lost a relative, and that is just an awful statistic. Far more wide reaching than anyone initially expected.

I cannot imagine what it must be like for the families who will never have a body to bury, never really know for certain that their family member has perished. It must be truly awful for them and the grieving for them will just go on & on.