Flat Earth: Plastering over the earthquake cracks
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.IT SOUNDS like a huge joke. Illiterate Indian barbers smearing their customers' beards with a sexual lubricant that they thought was shaving cream. Homeless labourers being presented with packets of dental floss, glow-in-the-dark sticking plaster and contact-lens cleaners. This, however, is part of the West's aid for victims of India's latest great disaster, the Maharasthra earthquake on 30 September that killed some 7,000 people and left tens of thousands homeless.
It is the unthinking result of the changed policy of Western support, which holds that goods, rather than cash, must be the basis of all emergency relief. Most of the flotsam came from the United States, although it was by no means alone. The toiletries went to the village of Latur, after it was 'adopted' by a group of foreign charities. Shipments to other 'adopted' villages included psychiatric drugs and crates of 'designer' softdrinks.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments