WASHINGTON, May 7 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American people,
through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), will provide
$1 million of the initial $3.25 million in emergency assistance for Burma
through the American Red Cross. This assistance will help provide for
ongoing community assessments, mobilization and distribution of relief
supplies from pre-positioned Red Cross stockpiles, follow-up monitoring and
coordination, and the local procurement, transport, and emergency storage
of temporary shelter materials.
"USAID is pleased to work with the American Red Cross to provide
assistance to the Burmese people," said USAID Administrator Henrietta H.
Fore. "Many have suffered a great deal during and in the aftermath of the
storm, and we offer our support and assistance in their time of need."
USAID assistance is being allocated by its Disaster Assistance Response
Team (DART), which is currently pre-positioned in Bangkok awaiting
permission to enter Burma. It is important that USAID disaster experts --
along with experts from international and non-governmental organizations --
be allowed access to the affected areas so quick and efficient emergency
relief assistance can be provided.
"The scope of the disaster is massive, and our hearts go out to the
families who have been impacted by this crisis," said David Meltzer, senior
vice president, International Services of the American Red Cross. "Through
this collaboration with USAID, we will be able to strengthen our relief
efforts and provide urgently needed supplies to those in the affected
area."
For more information about USAID's emergency humanitarian assistance in
the aftermath of Cyclone Nargis, please visit: http://www.usaid.gov, USAID
Keyword: Nargis or directly at
http://www.usaid.gov/locations/asia/countries/burma/cyclone_nargis.
For more information about the American Red Cross relief efforts,
please visit:
http://www.redcross.org/news/in/profiles/Intl_profile_MyanmarCyclone.html
The American people, through the U.S. Agency for International
Development, have provided economic and humanitarian assistance worldwide
for nearly 50 years.
Public Information: 202-712-4810
SOURCE U.S. Agency for International Development
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Related links:
http://www.usaid.gov
CONTACT:
USAID Press Office, +1-202-712-4310
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