Posted on 12/30/2004 9:14:19 AM PST by Ginifer
United Nations secretary-general Kofi Annan has cut short his holiday and is returning to his New York headquarters to oversee the UN's relief exercise for Indian Ocean tsunami victims.
Mr Annan will meet tonight with the UN official directly responsible for coordinating the relief, Jan Egeland.
Mr Annan's spokesman says that over the past two days, the UN boss has spoken by phone with leaders of countries hard hit by the disaster, not just to offer condolences but to find out what they need most urgently.
The Red Cross has put the overall death toll at almost 78,000 people, and says it will not be surprised if it reaches 100,000.
Health experts estimate that some 5 million people do not have the necessary food, water and sanitation to survive.
This isn't good news for the victims. He'll hamper relief efforts, at best.
Can't let a good opportunity to make a buck go to waste, eh Kofi?
I pray the US and US organizations are smart enough to not support this UN effort to hijack the relief effort.
"UN chief to oversee tsunami relief"
Let the party begin!!
I rest my case!
"has cut short his holiday "
I can see him gleefully rubbing his hands, with big dollar signs in his eyes...Hurry up Kojo, there's MONEY to be made!!
The UN involvement guarantees the death of thousands more people.
Ol' Coffee seems to show up when there's cash ripe for
stealing.
Why hasn't the press been demanding that Kofe "get out in front of the cameras" and make a statement? How dare he be on VACATION (which HE probably is) during a global disaster!!!!
Kojo Annan will help coordinate aid efforts throughout the world. Financial aid will be handled by Cotecna of Lugano Switzerland, under the supervision of Kojo himself!
He's too late; Australia, Japan, and the United States are already on the ground, running.
And that's why the UN is so upset.
Aha! In other words, Kofi and his tribe will end up having a fatter bank account.
They need clean water and restored sanitation. You don't even need to ask, Kofi. That's the number one priority.
I heard his son has voluteered to help too ...
Wake up and smell the Koffi...isn't it petty and disgusting how in the middle of such a disaster what he thinks about is nurturing his media image ?
I would cancel my holidays too, but 1°) I wouldn't make this breaking news so the media can say how brave I am, and 2°) instead of putting myself in charge I'd look for the best logistical expert available and hire him on the spot, my own job being only to clear the road before him and make myself scarce so everyone knows who is the guy in charge.
Lord oh Lord, I hope the same thing.
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