When did countries start to help each other during natural disasters? | AskHistorians Archive Observer

When did countries start to help each other during natural disasters?

by dieselpwr

E.g.: a country experiences a catatrophic flood and another country sends aid like rations, water or rescue equipment. Is it a 20th century thing?

Searocksandtrees

Hi, you may be interested in a couple of examples from the ancient Mediterranean

When did it become common for civilizations to assist others after catastrophic events? /u/Damasus222 on the 226 BC Rhodes earthquake
Did ancient nations ever send aid to their neighbors or rivals after a natural disaster? - /u/XenophonTheAthenian on the 464 Peloponnese earthquake

Not international aid, but possibly worth noting that domestic aid was an ad hoc affair back then too: a few comments on the 79 AD Vesuvius eruption

Was there any reaction by the Roman Empire to the destruction of Pompeii and Herculaneum?) - /u/LegalAction provides an overview of aid; /u/mythoplokos goes into more detail What was the Roman Empire's reaction to the destruction of Pompeii?