INTERNATIONAL HELP ON THE WAY

The world is responding to the crisis from Hurricane Katrina.

The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation reports today that a task force of three warships, a Coast Guard vessel, and three Sea King helicopters from the Canadian Navy will leave Halifax, Nova Scotia Tuesday for the Gulf Coast with relief supplies and personnel.

The Canadian Coast Guard ship Sir William Alexander, HMCS Athabaskan, HMCS Ville de Quebec, and HMCS Toronto will work with their American counterparts and likely be involved in reconstruction, health care, and humanitarian aid. Some of the military personnel will include engineers who may be able to assist in restoring electric services, and 40 divers. They should arrive by next weekend after four days enroute.

The Australian Broadcasting Corporation noted that Mexico is sending 15 truckloads of water, food, and medical supplies via Texas, and offered to send two Mexican Navy ships, two choppers, and 15 amphibious vehicles.

Even Cuba's Fidel Castro, calling a "truce" in the ideological rhetoric with the USA, offered to send 1,100 doctors to Houston with 26 tons of medicine.