New Earthquake, Different Result

One point eight. The difference in magnitudes of the Chilean and Haitian earthquakes. Over 200,000. The difference in deaths after the Haitian and Chilean tragedies. Although the number of the displaced is the same in the two ravished nations, the death tolls are disastrously different. Haiti's poorly built infrastructure and edifices without strict building codes in place, like those in Chile, clearly elucidate the poverty comparisons better than any interactive charts could.

The Chilean Red Cross has not even requested foreign aid, although the United States did offer assistance, according to a recent New York Times article. Often times, humanitarians believe it is better to donate clothing, manual labor, or food to these nations if money is refused. Usually though monetary alternatives are sent to ensure their donations are used accordingly and do not end up in an executives pocket.

Problems often arise with the above mentioned acts of good faith though, according to Reliefweb.int. A surplus of rice and boats were sent to Asia after the 2005 Tsunami because too many donors assumed it was what the countries needed. The same occurred with donations to build orphanages. Although tons of orphanages were successfully built, many had to be closed because they had no clothes or food to provide for the children.

The Red Cross still has over half a billion dollars left to spend in earmarks from their budge for the tsunami, which occurred nearly five years ago. Without the proper research aid in any form can go unused and unnoticed, leaving more helpless and homeless.