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U.S. Announces Additional $500,000 for Earthquake
Relief in Jammu and Kashmir
October 21, 2005
NEW DELHI -- U.S. Undersecretary of State for
Political Affairs Nicholas Burns today announced
that the U.S. is providing Rs. 2.25 crore ($500,000)
in additional funding to assist the Indian victims
of the devastating earthquake that struck the Jammu
and Kashmir region earlier this month.
Addressing a joint press conference after a full
day of meetings with Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran
in New Delhi, Mr. Burns extended condolences on
behalf of President Bush and the American people to
the victims of the terrible earthquake in Jammu and
Kashmir. “From the beginning our country has tried
to reach out and extend whatever assistance we could
to the Indian victims and our Ambassador and the
Embassy put forward $100,000 to Indian and American
NGOs. I would like to announce today that we would
now contribute an additional $500,000 that will go
to international and Indian NGOs involved in relief
work in India,” Mr. Burns said.
U.S. humanitarian assistance is provided through
the United States Agency for International
Development (USAID) Office of Foreign Disaster
Assistance (OFDA).
Disaster response efforts will be carried out
through recognized non-governmental organizations
with experience in disaster relief and recovery. The
relief is targeted towards the immediate needs of
the victims such as shelter, warm clothing, and
blankets. Cash-for-work programs to clear debris and
construct interim shelter will also be a part of the
support. As immediate needs are met, the response
will shift towards enhancing health, education, and
opportunities to improve livelihoods.
This support follows an earlier disbursement of
Rs. 44.3 lakh ($100,000) immediately following the
quake, half of which went to the Prime Minister’s
National Relief Fund and the remaining in direct
relief assistance provided by Save the Children. The
difficulty in reaching isolated mountain villages
and the inclement weather continue to complicate
relief efforts.
For more information on the needs of the
earthquake victims and how to contribute to relief,
visit www.usaid.gov/india.
Related news:
American Relief materials reach J&K
Quake Victims, U.S. Experts Report
Urgent Needs for Essential Supplies
U.S. Embassy Provides Humanitarian
Relief to Earthquake Victims in India
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