Assad To Destroy Chemical Weapons 'In A Year'

[pampango]

10. Even better - Russia and Qatar. Big weapons suppliers, small players in humanitarian aid.

Countries in the forefront of arming either side in Syria's civil war have been among the least generous when it comes to dealing with the resulting humanitarian disaster, according to a new Oxfam report.

The aid agency and advocacy group found that Russia and Qatar had committed just 3% of their fair share to the United Nations humanitarian appeal, measuring their contributions as a proportion of national income and wealth.

At the other end of the scale, Kuwait has contributed more than four times its share, while Britain has given more than one and a half times what the agency estimated a proportionate contribution to the UN fund. Saudi Arabia has given nearly twice its share.

Overall, under-payers far outnumber over-payers, especially among rich countries. The US, despite being the biggest contributor in absolute terms, has given 63% of its fair share in relation to national income, Oxfam found. Japan has paid 17% of its fair share and South Korea 2%.

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/sep/19/syria-arms-aid-oxfam-russia-qatar

Russia and Qatar must be financially exhausted from all the arms shipments they send to the government and rebels, respectively. At least, the UK, Kuwait and, surprisingly to me, Saudi Arabia have been very generous with humanitarian funding.