When the tsunami's hit south east asia... global aid materialized, even though the governments of (i.e. Indonesia, Shri Lanka) the affected countries continued to operate... paying salaries, running institutions and ... they really did not take any kind of leadership role in the relief effort for the thousands and thousands of lives in jeopardy along their coasts. But aid came fast and furious. Donations from canada worked out to a contribution made by 50% of the population... individual donations, let alone government contributions.
While I am ripe, ready and rippen to say something about "dude can afford to spend billllllllions blowing things and people up in a desert... he can certainly afford to rescue Katrina's victems." (and I'll mutter that to myself, regardless)... I am more interested to see what level of support the world considers reasonable when the absolute horror of what has happened in (i.e. New Orleans) the affected states and cities.
I am a cynic... and that cynicism wants to say "don't get yer hopes up."
Although I'd be rather pleased to find myself daft on this issue.
The people of little means... the lowest income strata in the southern states... are in a dire place.
The people of means... let alone the rich & well dressed... in the affected cities... are in dire straights.
Only the smallest fraction of the affected people will be able to pick-up and move away to a safe place, by their own will, while clean up, and rebuilding happens.
What of the rest?