Countries join forces to co-ordinate disaster relief efforts
The world’s richest nations have already pledged over €175 million in emergency aid.
The United Nations said it would launch an international appeal on January 6 for money to cover the emergency phase of the operation, but UN officials have said billions of euro will be needed to rebuild the shattered countries.
“We will stand with them as they start to rebuild their communities,” US President George Bush said from his Texas ranch in his first comments on Sunday’s disaster.
Mr Bush pledged a multifaceted response from the United States that goes beyond the $35m initially promised, including US military manpower and damage surveillance teams. He also called on Americans to donate cash to relief organisations.
“This has been a terrible disaster. It is beyond our comprehension,” he said.
German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder called on creditor nations to suspend debt repayments from Indonesia and Somalia to help in their recovery from the disaster. Germany will propose the measure at a meeting of the Paris Club of creditor countries next month, Mr Schroeder said.
Indonesia and Somalia are the only two nations with debt repayment agreements with the Paris Club out of the dozen nations ravaged by this week’s catastrophe.
Mr Bush also said he was concerned about the lack of a warning system. “It makes sense for the world to come together to develop a warnings system to help all nations,” he said.
The British Government announced at least €21m aid to Asia as Prime Minister Tony Blair said Britain was ready to help “in any way we can.”
France announced €11m in aid and said it will coordinate European and international aid for Sri Lanka.
