Compassion and aid

The EU responded immediately to the aid needs of the tsunami victims, none more so than the common people of Austria

At first, it was the endless string of telephone calls and emails to find out if friends and relatives in tsunami affected areas in India were safe. That kind of concern for an individual from around the world was overwhelming enough.

Then, officials stepped in to declare a day of mourning in memory of those who died as a consequence of the December 26 seaquake. In Austria flags flew at half-mast and people decided against spending on fireworks on New Year's Eve, and were encouraged to donate to flood victims instead.

Austrian Radio organised the largest appeal for funds that added up to €7 million within hours; the government of this tiny country of eight million people immediately announced millions more. The first aircraft, filled with medical supplies, was flown out in the first week of January by the Neighbour in Need network of charities. Austria's two largest dailies repeatedly requested readers for donations, and mobile phone operators here continue to keep aside a certain amount earned from each text message.

Along with other European Union (EU) states, life came to a standstill on January 5 as traffic ground to a halt and the public broadcasting station here silenced the primetime news bulletin for three minutes. A charity concert has been planned on February 3 by Austro-popstars. An online auction of the works of popular painters will begin on February 12.

Perhaps the most moving gesture of all came from Vienna's Philharmonic Orchestra. For the New Year' Day concert — held annually since 1939 at the glittering Golden Hall of the Musikverein, which sells tickets a year in advance and has performed under the baton of Zubin Mehta — it decided not to play the upbeat Radetzky March by Johann Straus. Traditionally, the concert has ended with the march, with the audience's hands keeping beat with the orchestra, climaxing with a standing ovation.

"The people of Europe stand with the people of Asia in this great tragedy," said José Manuel Barroso, president of the European Commission, which was the first to offer €3 million on the day of the disaster and another €20 million before the year had ended. "We mourn for the dead. I would also like to state our firm commitment to support you in this hour of need. We will do everything in our power to help you in your efforts to put this tragedy behind us."

When India announced that it could handle the crisis on its own, relief efforts were simply diverted to other countries affected by the tsunami. The daily Kurier newspaper announced that it would use the money collected from its readers for rebuilding houses in Sri Lanka. The army, along with Austrian Railways, has volunteered to repair bridges and rail lines there.

"I respect the Indian government's decision not to accept aid," said Brigitte Habres in Vienna. "It must have good reasons for doing so. But that does not stop me from doing my work." Habres first went to India on behalf of Caritas more than a decade ago. Now, she works mostly with children from gypsy families that live on Chennai's societal fringe.

While aid workers here are happy at New Delhi's claim to have graduated from an aid recipient country to that of a donor, they also hope that this brand new image is not flawed, and flaunted at the cost of victims. In fact, as stories of thousands of Indian villagers without access to shelter, livelihood, fuel, sanitation and drinking water continue to pour in, eyebrows are being raised at any "hidden agenda" that India might harbour.