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31 December 2004

U.S. Tsunami Aid Now to Total $350 Million

President boosts monetary commitment to relief effort

President Bush has announced a 10-fold increase – from $35 million to $350 million -- in the United States’ commitment to the relief effort for victims of the tsunami that devastated Asian coastal areas bordering the Indian Ocean.

Moreover, Bush pledged in a statement released by the White House December 31, U.S. contributions “will continue to be revised as the full effects of this terrible tragedy become clearer.”

Bush said that disaster response officials are on the ground in the region affected to help coordinate the relief effort, and a support center established in Thailand is now manned and operational. He noted that he looked forward to receiving a detailed report on relief needs from Secretary of State Colin Powell and Florida Governor Jeb Bush, the President’s brother, who are leading a fact-finding delegation that is expected to leave for the region January 2.

Following is the text of the White House statement:

(begin text)

THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

(Crawford, Texas)

For Immediate Release
December 31, 2004

STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT

The disaster around the Indian Ocean continues to grow both in size and scope. I have been monitoring closely the developments and our recovery and relief effort underway. I also look forward to the detailed report of the official delegation led by Secretary Powell and Governor Jeb Bush that will travel to the region very soon.

The United States has already provided an initial, substantial effort through existing emergency response resources, the formation of the core group, and military assets. To help coordinate the massive relief effort, disaster response officials are on the ground, and we have established a Support Center in Thailand that is manned and operational. More than 20 patrol and cargo aircraft have been made available to assess the disaster and deliver relief supplies. Many of those aircraft are on the scene. We have dispatched the aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln, the Maritime Pre-positioning Squadron from Guam, and an amphibious ship carrying a Marine Expeditionary Unit. They will soon be in position to support relief efforts to include the generation of clean water. We are leading an international coalition to help with immediate humanitarian relief, rehabilitation, and long-term reconstruction efforts. India, Japan, and Australia have pledged to help us coordinate these relief efforts, and I am confident many more nations will join this core group in short order. Reports of strong charitable donations are also very encouraging and reflect the true generosity and compassion of the American people.

Initial findings of American assessment teams on the ground indicate that the need for financial and other assistance will steadily increase in the days and weeks ahead. Because of this information and based on the recommendation of Secretary Powell and Administrator Natsios, I am today committing $350 million to fund the U.S. portion of the relief effort. Our contributions will continue to be revised as the full effects of this terrible tragedy become clearer.

Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by this epic disaster.

(end text)

(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)