Let me express my deepest sympathy and condolences with the victims of Hurrican Katrina. I wanted to write you, because I wanted to let you know, that you in the U.S. are not alone and that you've got friends around the world who want to help you.
In 2002, when floods destroyed huge parts of Eastern Germany, Americans were among the first in ther international community to help. As as far as I can overlook it right now, people and the government of the Federal Republic of Germany are willing to do whatever they can, to help the victims in the affected areas.
German chancellor Gerhard Schröder offered today to release Germanyes strategic reserve of gasoline. Additionally, the German government has offered to send a high number of experienced rescue workers and teams to the affected areas. The offer also includes mobile hospitals that could be set up in a very short period of time.
All accross Germany, people started to donate into special funds, set up by news organizations and i.e. the German Red Cross.
There is quite a number of Europeans around here in this part of the blogosphere. One way to help, is to donate to the special German American Solidarity Fund for the Victims of Katrina, set up by the German embassy to Washington.
I hope more help will reach the victims soon, because the images and cries for help become harder and harder to bear - everywhere on this planet.