otherwise they might have had a better economy where better buildings that don't all collapse would have left a greater number with shelter and they might have helped themselves more than they did. Comparing government confiscation and clumsy largess to charitable giving is inaccurate. You being generous with money that was forcibly taken from others doesn't make you charitable, it makes you a thief. Don't bother comparing yourself to Robin Hood, he stole from the government and gave it back to the people.