CASH from Djibouti, the US can accept. Bananas from Panama, so far, it cannot.

Hurricane Katrina has triggered an outpouring of generosity from some of the world’s poorest nations towards the world’s richest, forcing the US State Department into an awkward diplomatic dance and turning an Arkansas air force base into a cosmopolitan aid bazaar.

Ten days after President Bush indicated that his country would not need aid, it has accepted pledges of more than £540 million from 45 countries and is processing offers from 45 more. First-aid kits are on their way from Israel, dyke-plugging specialists from Holland and money from Afghanistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh as well as Kuwait, which is sending £272 million in oil and cash.

Djibouti, whose per capita GDP is 1/30th of that of the US, has pledged £30,000. Afghanistan said it was offering £55,000, tsunami-ravaged Sri Lanka had come up with £13,000 for the American Red Cross, poverty-stricken Bangladesh has offered £540,000, while Panama wants to donate 120,000lb (54,430kg) of bananas.

Some offers, heavily tinged with Schadenfreude, have been declined. More than 1,000 doctors put on standby by Fidel Castro, who customarily sends his medical teams to disaster zones, will stay in Cuba; 20 million barrels of crude oil offered by Tehran on condition that the US not seek nuclear sanctions will stay in Iran.

The US is anxious not to offend anybody, but is calling for cash and ready meals rather than specialised equipment. Even so, a Mexican army convoy bearing mobile kitchens and water purification units crossed the Texan border yesterday, bringing with it the first Mexican military presence on US soil since 1846.

International relief flights from Britain, Russia, Italy, Spain, Egypt, Israel and China began arriving in Arkansas on Monday. The Chinese shipment of 100 tonnes of bedding, clothes, tents and generators was intended “to show that we’re standing with Americans”, the pilot, He Jie, said on arrival.

In Beijing, the China Foundation for Poverty Alleviation, one of the countries foremost charities, will begin a campaign today to drum up aid for survivors of the hurricane.

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