MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
Downer
The Australian Government has responded quickly to the South Asia earthquake
relief effort with a further contribution of $5 million.
The increased funding is in response to the scale of the disaster with the
new money to be used for medical, food and shelter assistance.
This funding will be in support of UN agencies and other international
organisations in the field.
It is estimated that between 18,000 to 30,000 people have been killed.
The Australian Government has provided a total of $5.5 million to the
disaster resulting from a series of large earthquakes that rocked Pakistan,
Afghanistan and India on Saturday afternoon (AEST).
Yesterday (Sunday) the Government announced it would provide $500,000 for
immediate medical and relief assistance through the International Federation of
the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) for those affected by the
quakes.
The initial assistance was to help provide immediate medical and shelter
assistance for affected communities.
Search and rescue operations are underway in affected areas, with thousands
of people now spending their second night in the open and in desperate need of
emergency shelter.
Information is still being received on the extent of the damage and we are
monitoring the situation in Pakistan, Afghanistan and India.
There are no reports of Australians casualties and DFAT Consular staff are
continuing to contact Australians thought to be in the
region.
Media inquiries:
Chris Kenny (Mr Downer's office) 0419 206 890
AusAID (Public Affairs) 0417 680 590