A recent blog post sparked some lively discussion and additional postings on the Global South's response to the disaster in Haiti. The reaction has been impressive, with support coming from Brazil, China, India, Russia, and South Africa... as well as from some very unlikely sources.

Brazil has joined ranks with the world's largest donors in its level of response by distributing tons of food and water and pledging $19 million in aid, making it one of the largest donors to the relief effort. http://brazilportal.wordpress.com/2010/01/21/brazils-quake-aid-for-...

China promised $4.2 million and was very quick in providing expert rescue teams. India has given $5 million. Russia responded with a mobile hospital and expert teams. And South Africa has pledged financial support and sent search and rescue teams.

South Africa's neighbors are also coming to the rescue. Many African countries have pledged financial support, including DRC, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Senegal, Equatorial Guinea, Rwanda, Sierra Leone and even Liberia. http://www.liberation.fr/monde/0101615978-l-afrique-au-secours-de-h...

The Democratic Republic of Congo has offered $2.5 million. Ghana has offered $3 million. Senegal has offered $1 million and land to any Haitian who seeks to immigrate. Equatorial Guinea has offered $2 million. Liberia has pledged $1 million. Sierra Leone and Rwanda have both pledged $100,000. And even Liberia – coming out of very recent economic problems is giving $50,000.
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=122767124&... & http://allafrica.com/stories/201001170039.html

Latin American and Caribbean countries have been supporting Haiti with cash and experts, helping with restoration of electricity and basic utilities including medical and security teams.

In addition to bilateral forms of aid, other Southern countries supported via coordination with international agencies and organizations like the Pan American Health Organization, Organization of American States, multilaterals like the World Bank, the UN, and others.

CNN provided an early, but extensive breakdown of the various offers of aid to Haiti, including from Southern countries: http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/americas/01/13/haiti.aid.response/ind...

All in all, the outpouring of support has been tremendous and numerous Southern actors have signaled their seriousness as global development actors. Especially striking are the offers of aid coming from Africa, but some question whether countries receiving millions (and billions) in aid can afford to give so generously. What do you think? Should countries like the DRC, that are struggling with serious development challenges themselves be sending millions to Haiti?