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2005 Press Releases

America’s Response to the Tsunami Disaster

January 21, 2005

Tsunami Relief

  • The U.S. Government has pledged $350 million in relief assistance, and President Bush has said that this is only the beginning of our help.
  • The U.S. military has deployed $20 billion in assets in the region to aid tsunami victims. These assets include over 12,000 troops, as well as aircraft and support ships, food, water and medical supplies.
  • President Bush has enlisted the aid of his predecessors, former Presidents Bill Clinton and George H.W. Bush, to solicit funds for Indian Ocean tsunami disaster relief. “I ask every American to contribute as they are able to do so,” President Bush said on January 3.
  • Individuals, corporations, and private philanthropic organizations in the United States are responding to the disaster by contributing generously to relief efforts. Private donations currently total $360 million and are expected to reach $700 million.

The U.S. Government has committed, at this point:

  • 25 ships and 94 aircraft are participating in the relief effort.
  • The Lincoln Carrier Strike Group has been diverted to the Gulf of Thailand with 16 helicopters shuttling relief supplies around the clock into Indonesia.
  • The USNS Mercy, a large hospital ship, is en route. It also carries supplies provided by non-governmental organizations.
  • The U.S. Navy and Marine Corps are deploying ships to the region that carry heavy transport, amphibious vehicles, generators and other equipment useful in relief operations. The ships are capable of making 25,000 gallons of fresh water a day.
  • The U.S. military has delivered more than 17 million pounds of relief supplies and equipment.
  • Military forensic teams are working in the region, as is a preventive medicine unit.
  • AID has deployed a 44-person Disaster Assistance Response Team to do assessments and work with local officials and nongovernmental organizations. The team supplements the 109 USAID Mission staff permanently based in the region.
  • AID is transporting food commodities, potable water, water purification units and medical and shelter supplies to the region.
  • Members of the Los Angeles County Fire Department and Fairfax County search and rescue teams traveled to Sri Lanka and Indonesia.
  • AID welcomes proposals from humanitarian assistance organizations prepared to implement relief activities in the region.
  • AID is urging Americans to make contributions to reputable international NGOs and has a list of them on its website.

President Bush has said, “We are committed to helping the affected countries in the difficult weeks and months that lie ahead.”

General Points

The United States is the world’s largest contributor to disaster relief in humanitarian crises.

According to OECD figures, the U.S. Government provided $2.4 billion in humanitarian relief in 2004 – 40% of all the relief aid given in the world this year. Private American contributions are even more generous, giving at least $34 billion overseas annually, according to State Department Undersecretary for Global Affairs Paula Dobrianksy.