Christmas is Over the Spirit has Gone

"We were more generous when we were less rich, many of the rich countries," he said. "And it is beyond me, why are we so stingy, really. ... Even Christmas time should remind many Western countries at least how rich we have become."
Criticisms by U.N. Undersecretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Jan Egeland on Monday.

Thursday world governments have pledged $500 million in aid to quake-tsunami disaster victims.

"Let me say that in this particular instance the response has been very good," said Annan.

One measure by the Paris-based Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development shows that none of the world's richest countries donated even 1 percent of its gross national income. The highest, as of April, was Norway, at 0.92 percent; the lowest was the United States, at 0.14 percent.