新奇事件簿 缅甸和伊拉克是最慷慨的国家（在线收听）

Myanmar was for decades ruled by an oppressive military junta. However, since the country returned to democratic ways, things have changed. The Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) has just stated that Myanmar is home to the world's most generous people. It is the third successive year for the country to achieve this accolade. The CAF "World Giving Index" found that 91 per cent of Myanmar residents gave money to charity in the past year, 62 per cent helped a stranger, and 55 per cent claimed they had volunteered. An economic adviser to Myanmar's president said: "The results demonstrate very sharply how a 'poor' country can be a 'rich' one through its generosity, by focusing on giving rather than getting."

几十年来，缅甸都由压迫性的军事集团统治。然而，自这个国家恢复民主制度以来，形势发生了变化。英国慈善救助基金会(CAF)认为，缅甸人是世界上最慷慨的人。这是这个国家连续第三年获得该荣誉。英国慈善救助基金会世界捐助指数发现，过去一年，91%的缅甸居民曾向慈善机构捐款，62%的人曾帮助过陌生人，55%的人宣称曾经做过志愿者工作。缅甸总统一名经济顾问表示：“该结果非常明确地显示，一个贫穷的国家变得富有是通过慷慨，通过捐赠，而不是通过索取达到的。”

The report also found that people in Iraq are the kindest to strangers. Eight in 10 Iraqis are reported to have helped someone they don't know in the past year. The BBC commented on how significant this statistic was, given the turmoil Iraq has been in for years because of war. It stated that: "It is the kindness of Iraqis…to complete strangers in the face of years of conflict and terrible violence which stands out in the list." John Low, CEO of the Charities Aid Foundation, said: "The generosity of people, even in countries suffering from disaster and turmoil, is truly humbling." He added: "Unconditional gifts of time and money are a life-changing force for good in the world."

该报告还发现，伊拉克人民对陌生人是最友好的。过去的一年，八成的伊拉克人曾经帮助过陌生人。BBC评论称，考虑到过去几年战争导致伊拉克一直处于动乱状态，该统计数据具有非常重要的意义。BBC称：“面对过去多年的冲突和可怕的暴力仍然能够帮助陌生人，因此伊拉克人的友善才如此突出。”英国慈善救助基金会执行总裁约翰·卢(Dr John Low)表示：“即使在遭遇灾难和动乱的国家，人们都如此慷慨，这让人感到自惭形秽。”他补充说：“无条件地奉献时间和金钱是让世界变得更好的动力。”