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USAID Responds to Russian School Disaster

WASHINGTON, DC 20523
PRESS OFFICE
http://www.usaid.gov/
Press: (202) 712-4320
Public Information: (202) 712-4810

2004-081

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 9, 2004

Contact: USAID Press Office

WASHINGTON, DC -- On September 4, 2004, in response to the terrorist seizure and subsequent explosions and loss of life at the school in Beslan, North Ossetia, Russia, U.S. Ambassador Alexander Vershbow issued a disaster declaration due to the continuing need for medical assistance and emergency relief supplies to assist the victims of the hostage-taking. In response, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has provided $50,000, to the Russian Red Cross for the acquisition of medical equipment and support medical service.

On September 6, in response to a request for medical supplies and equipment from the Russian Government, the Department of Defense sent two C-130s of emergency commodities from a Department of State stockpile in Ramstein, Germany to Vladikavkaz in North Ossetia. USAID supplemented this contribution through the purchase of five trauma and five burn kits from a United Nations stockpile in Brindisi, Italy, valued at $80,000. The five trauma kits benefit 500 people, and the five burn dressing modules will benefit 200 people for eight days. These kits were airlifted via a C-130 to the Russian Federation on September 8. In all, USAID has provided $130,000 in assistance.

On September 1, 2004, terrorists seized a school in Beslan, North Ossetia, a region bordering Chechnya in the Russian Federation. The terrorist attack of the school on September 3 resulted in hundreds of casualties among children and adults. According to Russian officials, at lease 326 people were killed and as many as 700 people were wounded as hostage-takers detonated explosives in the gymnasium where 1,200 hostages were held. At this time 356 are still in hospital. The three-day siege also resulted in severe emotional and psychological trauma to the hostages and their families.

The U.S. Agency for International Development has provided economic and humanitarian assistance worldwide for more than 40 years.

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