Mexico and Katrina

Did you hear?  In an historic move, Mexico has sent troops into the USA.  Mexican troops haven’t set foot in what is now the USA since 1846, but they’re back because of Katrina.  Don’t worry – this time they’re not armed.

This is also a historic move since Mexico has never sent aid to the USA before, though it has helped other Latin American countries.  But even the USA, one of the world’s richest nations, wasn’t ready to deal with a crisis of this magnitude.  They’ve found themselves in a position where they do need help from around the world.

Mexico’s troops were met in San Antonio by cheering people waving or wrapped in Mexican flags, and honking horns.

The Mexican convoy brought mobile kitchens, each capable of feeding 7000 people a day.  They also brought water treatment plants, blankets, medicine, bottled water, and – apple sauce.  For personnel they brought doctors, nurses, and military specialists and engineers.

 And that’s not all.

A navy ship, El Papaloapan, was sent from Mexico with more drinking water, rescue all-terrain and amphibious vehicles, and helicopters.  Mexico may be sending more aid, including a Mexican warship outfitted as a hospital.

Temporary Mexican consulates are also being set up in varies parts of the USA, to help with Mexican citizens who are still looking for family, or who need other kinds of help.

Of course, I write this because of our interest in Mexico, and because it’s news you may have heard less about (in Canada) than Canada’s response.  However, Canada is helping too in various ways. For example, the Canadian Red Cross sent a convoy of 20 trucks also with emergency supplies, including 20,000 cots and blankets. The province of Alberta just sent $5 million Canadian for long term recovery efforts.

See my previous post if you’re willing to help with a gift.