MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
Billson
Devastated communities throughout the Caribbean will receive immediate help
from an Australian Government emergency relief contribution of $200,000,
Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Mr Bruce Billson, announced
today.
'Australia will fund the delivery of urgently needed food, water,
sanitation, temporary shelter, and logistical support, including transport and
distribution, to victims of Hurricanes Ivan and Jeanne,' Mr Billson
said.
'More than 1,000 people tragically have been killed by Hurricane Jeanne
on the island of Haiti, and with damage to more than 90 per cent of the
country's homes, thousands have been left homeless.
'Australia will provide $100,000 to CARE Australia in Haiti and $100,000
to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies Appeal,
for those affected by Hurricane Ivan in other Caribbean countries.
'The appeal aims to assist more than 85,000 people over six months, now
affected by extensive flooding that has created the risk of diarrhoea and water
borne diseases and caused a significant loss of livestock and damage to crops
and infrastructure.
'Haiti's north-west has been particularly hard hit, especially the
town of Gonaives where hundreds of residents were forced to take refuge on
rooftops.
'The area has been in severe drought over the past eighteen months and
this week's heavy rain has further damaged ground cover, causing landslides
in some parts. People who were already vulnerable because of the drought are
now in even greater need.
'In Grenada, about 60,000 people are in need of assistance and about 90
per cent of homes are damaged, with water, electricity and telephone services
having all been cut.
'The Australian Government is committed to responding to disasters in
our region and further abroad to help communities in desperate need,' Mr
Billson said.
In 2004-2005, Australia increased funding by more than $13 million to $146
million for international humanitarian, emergency and refugee programs.
Media inquiries:
Shane Fairlie (Mr Billson's Office) 0408 680 442
Jo Elsom (AusAID) 02 6206 4960 or 0412 804 489