Tsunami of Economic Aid

What kind of global socio-economic environment would stimulate many of the worlds most affluent and powerful nations competing to donate money and resources to a region of nations stricken by disaster.

By no means would I suggest that this is not a worthy cause and we shouldn't get behind it if we are able and inclined to do so; many are and some aren't - in spectacular fashion.

But really, this is bizarre to me. Whether it is the disaster itself which has struck a nerve, whether it's the timing of the event, whether there are the right socio-economic conditions in the first world which are effecting this kind of response; it is still quite remarkable to observe the behaviour of nations and large corporations at this time.