Description

The world has been left speechless by the death and devasation caused by what is being described as the biggest natural catastrophe in history. A region already gripped by poverty and crippled by debt has been hit by a disaster of epic proportions.

In the days and the weeks that followed the disaster the outpouring of global sympathy, reflected in the generosity of individual donations, was that of a scale not seen before. This resulted in western governments being embarrassed into upping their original aid commitments to the disaster struck region.

Yet how much of the $5 billion promised by western governments will materialise? A year earlier, the Iranian city of Bam suffered an earth-quake killing nearly 30,000 people, more than $1 billion in aid was promised but only $17.5 million was delivered.

As the people of the disaster struck region begin piecing together their lives, join us to discuss the Asian tsunami and the questions that it throws up about the west and underdevelopment.

What are the causes of poverty and lack of infrastructure in underdeveloped countries?

What is tied aid?

What are the lessons of previous disasters?