International aid to the United States of America

[elTejas]

Rice says all hurricane aid offers from other countries will be accepted

04:45 PM CDT on Thursday, September 1, 2005


Barry Schweid / Associated Press



WASHINGTON -- In a dramatic turnabout, the United States is now on the receiving end of help from around the world as some two dozen countries offer post-hurricane assistance.


Venezuela, a target of frequent criticism by the Bush administration, offered humanitarian aid and fuel. Venezuela's Citgo Petroleum Corp. pledged a $1 million donation for hurricane aid.


The United Nations informed U.S. Ambassador John R. Bolton it was prepared to support the relief effort "in any way possible."


Under Secretary-General Jan Egeland said his office had offered the services of the U.N.'s disaster assistance and coordination teams to the U.S. Agency for International Development.


Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon sent a letter to President Bush offering hundreds of doctors, nurses, technicians and other experts in trauma, natural disasters and public health.


"We also offer field hospitals, medical kits and equipment for temporary housing, reinforcement for hospitals, or any assistance that you may require," Sharon wrote.


He said the teams and equipment could be ready in 24 hours.


With offers from the four corners of the globe pouring in, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has decided "no offer that can help alleviate the suffering of the people in the afflicted area will be refused," State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said Thursday.


However, in Moscow, a Russian official said the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency had rejected a Russian offer to dispatch rescue teams and other aid.


On Tuesday, President Vladimir Putin sent condolences to Bush and said Russia was prepared to help if asked.


Boats, aircraft, tents, blankets, generators, cash assistance and medical teams have been offered to the U.S. government in Washington or in embassies overseas.


Offers have been received from Russia, Japan, Canada, France, Honduras, Germany, Venezuela, Jamaica, Australia, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Greece, Hungary, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Mexico, China, South Korea, Israel, the United Arab Emirates, NATO and the Organization of American States, the spokesman said.


Still, Bush told ABC-TV: "I'm not expecting much from foreign nations because we hadn't asked for it. I do expect a lot of sympathy and perhaps some will send cash dollars. But this country's going to rise up and take care of it."


"You know," he said, "we would love help, but we're going to take care of our own business as well, and there's no doubt in my mind we'll succeed. And there's no doubt in my mind, as I sit here talking to you, that New Orleans is going to rise up again as a great city."


Historically, the United States provides assistance to other countries experiencing earthquakes, floods and other disasters.


Germany, which was rebuilt after World War II largely by the U.S. Marshall Plan, offered its help in a telephone call to Rice.


"The German Government is prepared to do all that is humanly possible," the German embassy said. In his call, German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer assured Rice of Germany's solidarity with its American friends in a difficult time, the embassy said.


Israeli Ambassador Daniel Ayalon called Wednesday at the State Department to offer condolences and assistance. Israel is the largest recipient of U.S. aid, about $2.2 billion a year.


"The hearts and prayers of Israel's people are with the people of the United States and the many millions who are suffering in the regional devastation resulting from hurricane Katrina," the Israeli embassy said in a statement.

[elTejas]

Mexico to help the USA

Actions of the Government of Mexico around the devastation caused by the Katrina hurricane

Official notice of press no. 162 Mexico, D.F., 31 of August of 2005 - the Secretariat of Foreign Relations informs on the diverse actions that the federal government has made in relation to the emergency caused by the Katrina hurricane:

1) Like one has come informing to the public opinion, the consulates of Mexico in Houston and Atlanta have reinforced their activities of protection with the objective to take care of the communities of Mexican that have been themselves affected by the Katrina hurricane, specially in the states of Louisiana and Mississippi in the United States. Until the moment, the consulates have not had knowledge of any person of Mexican nationality that is died because of this natural disaster, although this possibility can not be discard by virtue of the gravity of the situation.

2) The President of Mexico, Vicente Fox Quesada, sent a letter to the President of the United States, George W. Bush, by means of which he expressed the condoleneces of the people and the Government of Mexico by virtue of the devastation caused by the Katrina hurricane in the states of Louisiana and Mississippi. President Fox reiterated that once the US government confirm the most urgent necessities, the aid requests will be canalized so they can arise on the part of the United States.

3) the Secretary of Foreign Relations, Luis Ernesto Derbez, sent communications to governors Kathleen Babineaux Blanco and Haley Barbour, of Louisiana and Mississippi, respectively, reiterating the support and the condolences of the Government of Mexico. Also, civil employees of the Chancellery have entered direct bonding with the offices of these governors with the purpose of defining the mechanisms of communication more adapted so much for the possible aid that can be offered on the part of Mexico, like for the attention of the Mexicans that has been affected by the hurricane.

4) the Chancellery sent a diplomatic note to the Embassy of the United States in Mexico in which the condolences and solidarity of our government are reiterated, inquires into the instructions that have been turned to the consulates in the zone and the aid offer is made official to contribute to the quick recovery of the communities that have been themselves affected.

5) the Consulate of Mexico in Houston is commissioner to a civil employee in the city of Belmont, Texas, to offer attention to our citizens in the zone. Also, a telephone line available exists: (713) 778-6112, through which it is possible to obtain data on the situation of Mexican in that region. On the other hand, the Consulate of Mexico in Atlanta established a reporting line for attention of victims: (404) 625-1706. Both consular representations have contacted with the American Red Cross with object of which this one spreads warnings to the Mexican community that goes to its shelters so that between in contact with the consulates obtaining the aid that corresponds to them. Also, they have contacted to communitarian leaders and mass media in Spanish to spread the numbers of emergency of those representations to attend the victims.

6) Finally, today civil employees of the Embassy of Mexico in Washington attended a meeting in the Department of State of the United States on the emergency situation that prevails in the states affected by the Katrina hurricane. The American authorities presented/displayed a panorama of the situation in Louisiana and Mississippi, emphasizing that the efforts are concentrating at the moment in the search and rescue of people, and in the provision of foods and water for the victims. It was emphasized that, given the conditions that again prevail particularly in areas like the city Orleans, the access is restricted. The supplies of aid that several countries we have made will canalize through the Federal Emergency and Management Agency(FEMA, by their abbreviations in English), as well as by leaders of the American Red Cross, for it, nevertheless, it was emphasized that the evaluations will have to become corresponding, in order to have a complete panorama of the necessities.



* A ship of the mexican navy is preparing with provisions from the port of Veracruz waiting solely by the official request of aid of the government of the United States.

[elTejas]

Friday September 2, 07:00 A.M.

European Union offers aid to the U.S.A. because of Katrina hurricane

BRUSSELS (AP) - the European Union said Friday that offered aid to the American authorities to palliate the consequences of the Katrina hurricane.

The spokeswoman of the EU Francoise Bail said to Him that several nations of the EU are arranged to help in the provision of potable water and portable houses, if it asks for the United States. The EU transmitted the supply to the American authorities. However, Bail said to Him that the EU still did not receive a request of aid on the part of Washington.

[eweezerinc]

It's good to see that other countries see how aweful it has become and want to help, just as we would help them in their times of natural disaster.

[elTejas]

every help is welcome and useful

[Azn_chi_boi]

Wow... a great step toward world unity...

anyways... thanks to the other countries that donated to us...

[madlib696]

I saw last night on CNN that Cuba is offering help. The leader said he will send doctors among other things. When asked why He said this is not the time to be kicking someone when they are already on there knees,or something like that. Last I heard their has been no word on weather or not Bush will take him up or not. I think we sould maybe if one good thing came out of this hellistic event we could grow to become friends with Cuba. Also maybe all of us in the US will be able to smoke some fine Cubans (in Cuba mind you).

[elTejas]

Mexico is sending by the way:

One hospital ship of the navy
One school ship of the navy
15 amphibious transports
2 helicopters
15 tons in provisions and medicines



Mexico ready to send aid for Katrina relief


As U.S. authorities continue to evacuate areas of the Gulf coast, there are still no Mexicans reported dead.

September 04, 2005

Mexico offered the United States two Mexican navy ships, 15 amphibious vehicles, two helicopters and 15 heavy trucks on Saturday to help in the relief effort following Hurricane Katrina.

President Vicente Fox said the government had donated US1 million an amount matched by a private Mexican aid foundation for hurricane relief efforts.

"Mexico is a friend of the United States, and in tough moments, good friends stand together," Fox said. "You can count on our support."

Fox also offered health brigades and rescue teams, including the rescue teams that dug survivors out of Mexico City's devastating 1985 earthquake that killed an estimated 10,000 people.

Fox estimated that about 145,000 Mexicans lived in the broad, multi-state area affected by Katrina, and that about 10,000 lived in New Orleans.

The government has channeled US175,000 to set up consular offices and communications links to help Mexican victims. Fifteen additional consular officials will be dispatched as well.

Meanwhile, Fox has urged Mexican residents to obey U.S. authorities. On Friday, he said that U.S. officials had agreed not to prosecute any undocumented migrants seeking aid.

"We have agreed with the government of the United States that those who were not documented at the time will not be subject to any pressure or persecution whatsoever," Fox said Friday afternoon.

"In this way, they can receive help from the American authorities, they can approach the authorities to point out what they've lost and, above all, to ask for support."

There have not have been reports of any Mexican deaths, but 87 citizens were reported missing.

The government also plans to provide Mexican victims with food, water and shelter and allowing them to call relatives in Mexico.

The government will also assume the travel costs of those who want to return to Mexico, according to the Foreign Relations Secretariat.

[Hillis]

Canadian warships to sail to Louisiana
Last Updated Fri, 02 Sep 2005 18:20:41 EDT

Three Canadian warships, a coast guard vessel and three Sea King helicopters will be sent to Louisiana on Tuesday with relief supplies for the U.S. Gulf Coast.


National Defense Minister Bill Graham talks with Russian Defense Ministar Sergei Ivanov in Moscow. (AP Photo)
Defence Minister Bill Graham made the announcement from Moscow, Russia.

The Canadian Coast Guard Ship Sir William Alexander will sail along with the Canadian Navy vessels, HMCS Athabaskan, HMCS Ville De Quebec and HMCS Toronto.

Naval crews were busy loading gear on to the ships in Halifax Friday as 1,000 personnel prepared to head to waters off New Orleans.

Commodore Dean McFadden, who will command the deployment, said they were consulting with their American counterparts to determine what they will do during the expected month-long mission. He suggested duties would involve reconstruction, health care and humanitarian aid.

"We will have the capacity to move people. We'll have the capacity to bring medical supplies and fuel capabilities," McFadden said as he stood on the dock next to destroyer HMCS Athabaskan, the command and control ship for the mission. "The specific jobs we're going to do, I'll wait until the Americans tell us what help they need."

The vessels will work with the U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard and carry Canadian Forces personnel, some of them military engineers who might be able to help restore power and generate electricity.

About 40 navy divers from both coasts were also expected to deploy with the mission, which got clearance after American officials accepted a Canadian offer of help.

Rear Admiral Dan McNeil of the Joint Task Force Atlantic said organizers of the mission, dubbed Operation Union, were compiling a list of what's needed as U.S. officials continued to assess their requirements.

The ships are expected to arrive in the Gulf of Mexico three to four days after they leave Halifax.

----------

Canadian Red Cross sending volunteers to Houston
Last Updated Fri, 02 Sep 2005 19:04:29 EDT

The Canadian Red Cross Friday confirmed its first team of 25 Disaster Services volunteers are headed to Houston, Texas, to begin three week assignments with the American Red Cross. The volunteers -- from Sydney, Nova Scotia to Edmonton, Alberta -- will support the American Red Cross in managing 270 shelters and delivering some 500,000 hot meals each day. "We are sending our most experienced and highly trained volunteers to support the largest relief operation in the American Red Cross' history," said Don Shropshire, National Director, Disaster Services, Canadian Red Cross. "In the coming weeks we will send at least 100 volunteers to the region, then more as required. It is the most effective way that we can help our counterparts in the US." The Canadian Red Cross said it does not recruit new volunteers for this type of mission, but relies on its existing pool of people who have experience responding to disasters in Canada.

----------

Canadian governments offer help to Katrina victims
Last Updated Fri, 02 Sep 2005 19:09:02 EDT

Prime Minister Paul Martin said Friday that a trip to the southern U.S. to survey the Katrina damage was a bad idea because the situation is simply too chaotic.

He said the Canadian government is doing everything it can to find and help Canadians who may be unable to get out of New Orleans or other stricken areas.

It remains unclear how many Canadians have been stranded or are missing in the disaster-stricken region. But some have managed to call in to say they got out without injury, said Dan McTeague, parliamentary secretary for Canadians abroad.

Consular officials were in New Orleans and Houston to track down Canadians in the affected area, McTeague said. "It is very much an uncomfortable situation and there is, understandably, a lot of very anxious people there who want to hear about their friends and loved ones. But the situation there is on par perhaps with a disaster of epic proportions."

Stockwell Day, the Conservative foreign affairs critic, blamed the federal government for failing to evacuate Canadians from the Gulf Coast before the hurricane hit. "The fact of the matter is that there was no definitive plan to remove Canadians before Katrina hit and now there are Canadians stranded and fighting for their lives," said Day.

Earlier, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice called Foreign Affairs Minister Pierre Pettigrew to thank Canada for its offers of assistance.

Across the country, offers of aid continued to flow in.

In Halifax, Nova Scotia's Conservative government announced it would donate $100,000 to the Canadian Red Cross.

"All Nova Scotians have been shocked and moved by the terrible destruction and suffering on the Gulf Coast of the United States," Premier John Hamm said in a statement. "The victims have been in our thoughts and prayers all week."

P.E.I. Premier Pat Binns has offered to help co-ordinate an effort to provide shelter and support for the hundreds of thousands of people displaced by Katrina. "Each of us can do a little bit," Binns said in a letter to the U.S. ambassador. "As horrible as the situation is, perhaps we can use it to strengthen our bonds with our U.S. neighbours, which have grown strained over trade and terrorism security measures."

In Edmonton, Deputy Prime Minister Anne McLellan said people in the Maritimes are offering to take in victims of Katrina.

McLellan said there are offers by Maritimers ready to open their homes to people on the U-S Gulf Coast, who've been left homeless by the storm.

Because of the deep connection of Atlantic Canada's Acadians with the U.S. South, McLellan said many people have offered to shelter children or families who may need somewhere to go.

She said the federal government will convey the offer to U.S. officials, but she said they don't want to add to people's trauma. McLellan said it hasn't even been determined whether such an idea is a practical one, though it shows Canadians' willingness to help out.

Air Canada said Friday it had dispatched an Airbus passenger jet from Toronto to New Orleans with a cargo of bottled water and relief supplies. The airline said it would operate shuttle flights over the next several days to help in the evacuation of about 25,000 people from New Orleans to Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas.

[Yardmaster]

Australia's offered aid, but, despite our efforts in backing up your war efforts from Korea to Iraq, we can't get our own diplomatic staff into New Orleans to find out what's happening to our hundred or so citizens there.