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In times of disaster actions have consequences, so do inactions.

The earthquake in Myanmar is a natural disaster of horrific magnitude. Thousands of people have died and been injured. This is a time when the United States would have immediately responded and sent aid to the people in the disaster zone. But not now. We no longer have the ability to respond. We cannot send a 200 person DART team because it has been eliminated by DOGE. We are sending three advisors and $2 million dollars. China has filled the void left by our inactions. They have sent rescue teams and 14 million dollars (at this date). Thank you China for helping these people in need.

Because of the actions of DOGE and the Republican administration we are no longer able to support people in disasters as we have done for years. Today it is Myanmar. Where will it be tomorrow? Another distant country or here in the US? Maybe China will come to our aid when we need it.

3/1/25 update: International rescue teams from several countries are on the scene, including from Russia, China, India, the United Arab Emirates and several Southeast Asian countries. The U.S. Embassy said an American team had been sent but hadn’t yet arrived.

Nancy Bakke-McGonigle

Austin, MN