"It's very clear that the breadth and depth of the people who have been touched emotionally doesn't compare to the tsunami," Curtis R. Welling, chief executive of AmeriCares, told the Washington Post on Friday, May 23.

At least 133,000 people were killed or went missing when cyclone Nargis tore through Myanmar early this month, wiping out entire villages.

Few days later, nearly 55,740 died and 24,960 went missing when a powerful quake jolted central China.

Following the two disasters, Americans have donated an estimated $57 million to disaster relief charities for both countries.

But the donations were sharply less than the $207 million that Americans donated in the first five days after the tsunami hit southern Asia in 2004.

The donations were also less than the $226 million raised in five days after hurricanes Katrina and Rita devastated the United States' Gulf Coast.

"[The tsunami] had so many factors that cried out, that were of immediate interest to people around the world," said Mike Kiernan, a spokesman for Save the Children.

"It hit 12 countries, it took place the day after Christmas . . . and there were individual stories focused on survival and loss that involved Americans and Europeans."

At least 220,000 people were killed when a 9.3 magnitude earthquake sent shockwaves through the Indian Ocean on December 26, 2004, unleashing tidal waves that lashed the shores of 12 nations.

Not to Blame

Some believe that the US economy, which is facing a recession, has left many Americans with little disposable income to donate.

"We are all connected. . . . I think everyone should try to help," said Arnette Ramsey of Takoma Park, who gave $25.

Some experts cite the Americans' distrust of disaster relief charities as among the reasons for the dwindling donations.

"I think a lot of people cringe when the check is written because there is not a lot of confidence in how the money is being used and overseen," said Eric Kessler, managing director of District-based Arabella Philanthropic Investment Advisors.

He said many donators are asking sophisticated questions about the impact of their dollars as they consider whether to give.

"They want to know how the money is being used and what impact it is having," said Kessler.

Geopolitics is also seen an overriding factor hampering donations.

Myanmar's junta has blocked foreign reporters and aid workers from entering the country, resulting in little media coverage.

"They're making it almost impossible for anyone to want to give, in spite of their clear need, because of their insane and bizarre and idiotic behaviors," said Patrick M. Rooney, research director at the Indiana center.

In China, the government has mobilized its military and resources in an extraordinarily public display of aid to an estimated 5 million displaced people.

In the first three days after the quake, Chinese citizens reportedly donated $192 million to help their countrymen, leaving many Americans wondering how their donations be useful in a nation trying to show that it can handle the relief efforts on its own.

"I think it's very wise for a lot of donors to be holding back and waiting until there's an opportunity to really get the resources to do the most good," said Melissa A. Berman, president of Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors.

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