MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
Downer
As the scale of the Indian Ocean disaster becomes clearer and specific needs are identified, Australia will continue to provide support for the relief effort.
The Government today made further contributions totalling $25 million. This is in addition to the initial contribution of $10 million that I announced on Monday 27 December.
Emergency relief in Indonesia's devastated province of Aceh is the main component of this additional support. There are also major allocations for Sri Lanka, for Australian NGOs and to support relief work in other affected countries, as well as the deployment Australian personnel. Specific allocations are:
Indonesia: $10m to support immediate needs, including food and water, shelter and clothing, medical care, emergency power and public health measures. Funds will help support the early operations of international relief agencies and direct procurement and delivery of urgently needed supplies by ADF C130s to Aceh and North Sumatra . The funding will assist international relief agencies to ramp up their effort quickly. In addition to needs assessments and planning, the agencies are coordinating their efforts in Indonesia to provide basic essentials such food and shelter and restore water supplies and sanitation. Australian funds will also support the work of international medical organisations such as MSF and the International Medical Corps, now on the ground in Indonesia .
Sri Lanka: $5m to support international emergency relief efforts. While we can expect other donors to provide the bulk of significant direct assistance to the Sri Lankan relief effort, Australia is a significant aid donor in Sri Lanka and this early contribution will be directed through international relief agencies.
Australian NGOs: A further $5m to support the relief programs and appeals of AusAID, which has standing disaster response arrangements with CARE, World Vision and Oxfam CAA. These organisations have a proven track record of reaching affected communities with well-targeted direct relief. This further funding will support relief operations across the region.
International relief:A $5m allocation to support international emergency relief efforts in other affected countries, including Thailand and the Maldives, and the deployment of Australian personnel. Starting today, Australian civilian surgical/medical teams will be deployed to affected countries.
Media inquiries:
Chris Kenny (Mr Downer's office) 0419 206 890
AusAID Public Affairs 0417 680 590