Financial woes sock Ike recovery effort

HOUSTON, Nov. 23 (UPI) -- It's unlikely charitable contributions for Hurricane Ike relief will even come close to providing what's needed, U.S. organizers say.

The teetering economy is being blamed for contributions that have been well below expectations, with only $19 million raised by four major regional Hurricane Ike funds so far, the Houston Chronicle reported Sunday.

"The need is tremendous, and it's unrealistic to think that one charitable fund is going to be able to fill the need," former Secretary of State James Baker, national chairman of the Bush-Clinton Coastal Recovery Fund, told the newspaper. "I think it's unrealistic that all of them together will be able to fill the need."

The Bush-Clinton Fund has raised $2.5 million, and while fundraising efforts are continuing, it pales in comparison with the $135 million it raised after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the Chronicle said.

The global financial crisis hit soon after the Sept. 13 hurricane, quickly pushing it out of the headlines and causing potential donors to hang onto their cash. Then the U.S. presidential election took over, Baker told the newspaper.

"Whatever oxygen was left was taken up by the presidential campaign," he said.