MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
Smith
Australia will provide $1 million to relief efforts in the Caribbean to help the victims of Tropical Storm Fay and Hurricanes Gustav, Hanna and Ike.
The storm and hurricanes have affected an estimated 1.2 million people, with over 300,000 people displaced across the Caribbean.
Homes, schools, hospitals and basic infrastructure including power and water supplies have been damaged.
Australia's assistance will be provided through the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies for relief supplies, temporary shelter, health services and other emergency relief activities.
Australia's contribution will help the Red Cross meet immediate needs including reestablishment of electricity services, family kits containing jerry cans, kitchen kits, mosquito nets as well as mattresses, sheet sets, towels and water filters.
As a large number of homes have been destroyed, there is also an urgent need for zinc sheeting to replace or repair roofs as well as shelter kits for those that lost their homes.
This assistance is in response to calls by international agencies for relief and recovery efforts in the Caribbean.