Nations pledge tsunami aid

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Nations pledge tsunami aid

>From correspondents in London

December 30, 2004

RESCUERS scoured coastlines around the Indian Ocean for survivors of

Sunday's giant waves that killed tens of thousands. The United

Nations mobilised what it called the biggest relief operation in its

history.

 

The following is a list of contributions pledged, compiled from

reports by Reuters bureaux and UN agencies.

AUSTRALIA: Increased its aid to $US27 million ($35 million) and said

it, the United States, Japan and India were considering setting up a

group to coordinate help. Also sent five air force transport planes

with supplies and medical specialists to Sumatra, and two 15-member

emergency medical teams and 12 police to Phuket.

AUSTRIA: Pledged 1 million euro ($1.75 million) in aid to the

countries hit.

BELGIUM: Military plane due to stop at Dubai to load most of its

cargo - UNICEF aid such as tents, vaccines.

BRITAIN: Pledged STG15 million ($37.2 million) to the devastated

area and has sent plastic sheets and tents worth STG250,000

($620,350) to Sri Lanka. Contributing STG370,000 ($918,110) to EU aid

and $US100,000 ($128,500) to World Health Organisation.

CANADA: Initial contribution of $C1 million ($1.05 million) to appeal

for $US6.5 million ($8.35 million) by the International Federation of

Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).

CHINA: Offering 21.6 million yuan ($3.3 million) of aid to India,

Indonesia, Thailand, Sri Lanka and Maldives.

CZECH REPUBLIC: Sent planes to Sri Lanka and Thailand with drinking

water and medicine, part of pledge of aid worth 10 million crowns

($573,120).

DENMARK: Increased aid pledge by maximum 85 million Danish crowns

($20.05 million) after spending almost all initial 10 million crowns

pledged. Aid will cover immediate needs - medical supplies, food,

water, shelter - and reconstruction.

UNICEF flight from its Copenhagen depot taking 45 tonnes of supplies

to the area, including oral rehydration salts and medical supplies

for 150,000 people for three months.

EGYPT: Egyptian Red Crescent Society sending a plane with 500,000

Egyptian pounds ($104,090) worth of medicine and other aid as initial

step.

EUROPEAN UNION: Ready to release up to 30 million euro ($52.6

million) on top of 3 million euro ($5.25 million) already allocated

to IFRC.

FINLAND: Pledged 2.5 million euro ($4.38 million) spread among World

Food Program, UNICEF, WHO and IFRC. Local aid groups contributed

further 75,000 euro ($131,370). Finnish Red Cross has sent a field

hospital with 15 staff to Sri Lanka and 31 aid workers to Thailand.

FRANCE: Foreign Minister Michel Barnier in Sri Lanka, then Thailand.

Has earmarked 100,000 euro ($175,160) for relief, sent 16 rescuers to

Thailand, 10 tonnes aid to Sri Lanka.

GERMANY: Doubling emergency aid to 2 million euro ($3.5 million). Air

force medical evacuation plane to set off for Phuket, two more planes

chartered to take disaster relief teams, medicines and consular

officials there. Germany's largest utility E.ON to donate 1 million

euro ($1.75 million).

GREECE: Sending C-130 transport aircraft carrying 25 rescue workers

to Phuket tomorrow to help with rescue operations.

Has sent plane to Sri Lanka carrying five tonnes of food and

clothing, and offered 150,000 euros in aid to each of the two

countries.

ISRAEL: Sent one medical team to Sri Lanka, one to Thailand.

Military search and rescue team due in Sri Lanka, held up by

coordination problems.

ITALY: Will send 2 Hercules aircraft, one to Sri Lanka, one to

Thailand.

JAPAN: Pledged $US30 million ($38.6 million) in aid, sent three navy

vessels to Thailand to help rescue survivors.

KUWAIT: Pledged aid supplies worth $US2 million ($2.6 million), sent

$US100,000 ($128,500) immediate aid.

NETHERLANDS: Contributing 2 million euro ($3.5 million) to Red Cross-

Red Crescent appeal, plus participating in EU aid program.

NORWAY: Preliminary contribution of 50 million Norwegian crowns

($10.5 million) for emergency relief, including basic necessities,

medicines, food, clean water and shelter.

POLAND: Earmarked 1 million zlotys ($431,770) for Polish NGOs

involved in relief.

SAUDI ARABIA: Pledged $US10 million ($12.85 million) aid package -

$US5 million ($6.4 million) of food, tents and medicine to be

distributed via Saudi Red Crescent, $US5 million ($6.4 million) for

international aid groups such as the Red Cross and UN High

Commissioner for Refugees.

SINGAPORE: Contributing some $US1.2 million ($1.5 million) to global

effort, military medical teams and supplies ready to fly to

Indonesia.

SOUTH KOREA: Raises aid to $US2 million ($2.6 million), may send

military cargo plane to move aid workers and supplies.

SPAIN: Sent aircraft to Sri Lanka with first aid, sanitary equipment

and 19 volunteers, promised 1 million euro ($1.75 million).

SWEDEN: Sent 2 communications specialists to help UN relief efforts

in Sri Lanka. Sending tents and communications equipment to the

Maldives. Swedish Red Cross to contribute $US750,000 ($963,760) to

IFRC appeal.

TAIWAN: Pledged additional $US5 million ($6.43 million) to South and

Southeast Asian countries, after giving $US100,000 ($128,500) to

Indonesia, $US50,000 ($64,250) each to Thailand, India and Sri Lanka.

Sends more than 100 relief workers.

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES: Pledged $US2 million ($2.6 million) in aid and

its Red Crescent society will donate 30 tonnes of food, blankets and

clothing to earthquake victims to be transported over this week.

UNITED STATES: Pledged initial $US35 million ($45 million). Pentagon

ordered 12 vessels to region, though no decision taken on their role.

INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE OF THE RED CROSS: Cargo plane flying from

Kenya to Sri Lanka carrying 105 tonnes of supplies, provide aid to

150,000 people in north and east. Trying to raise more than 50

million Swiss francs ($56.5 million).

IMF: Intends to provide assistance, no specific pledges.

UNHCR: Initially distributing $US380,000 ($488,310) of non-food

relief items, including 23,500 plastic sheets for shelter, 24,500

plastic mats, clothing, towels and 20,000 kitchen sets.

UNICEF: Delivered 50 water tanks to southern India, 45-tonne shipment

of water purification tablets and water systems due to reach Sri

Lanka on Thursday. WHO and UNICEF said they were providing four

emergency kits to Indonesia to cover 40,000 people for three months,

providing shelter, food and clothing.

UN WORLD FOOD PROGRAM: Sends 168 tonnes of commodities to Sri Lanka,

plus more than 4,000 tonnes of rice, wheatflour, lentils and sugar,

enough to provide 500,000 people with emergency rations for two

weeks.

UN DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM: Provided $US100,000 ($128,500) each to Sri

Lanka, India, Indonesia, the Maldives and Thailand to help assess

damage and coordinate emergency needs.

UN POPULATION FUND: Earmarked up to $US1 million ($1.3 million) and

extra staff to help health needs of pregnant and nursing women.

 

Reuters