USAID Assists Burmese People in Cyclone Aftermath
May 05 2008 - 7:05PM
PR Newswire (US)
WASHINGTON, May 5 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American people,
through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), are
providing an initial $250,000 for emergency relief assistance to
help those who have been affected by Tropical Cyclone Nargis. USAID
has also pre-positioned emergency response experts nearby and is
prepared to deploy a Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) to
assist the people of Burma. "We extend our deepest sympathies to
the Burmese people and those who lost loved ones in this major
natural disaster," said USAID Administrator Henrietta H. Fore. "The
road to recovery will be long, but the United States stands
prepared to provide additional assistance should it be requested by
the Union of Burma government." Tropical Cyclone Nargis made
landfall at approximately 16:00 local time Friday, May 2nd to the
west of Rangoon in the Irrawaddy River Delta. At landfall Nargis
had winds of approximately 132 miles per hour, and the rain and
wind damage in the aftermath of the storm is of concern to relief
organizations. To provide relief assistance to Burmese in need, the
United States will work with other donors and international relief
organizations already working in the disaster region. For more
information about USAID's emergency humanitarian assistance
programs, please visit:
http://www.usaid.gov/our_work/humanitarian_assistance/disaster_assistance/.
The American people, through the U.S. Agency for International
Development, have provided economic and humanitarian assistance
worldwide for nearly 50 years. USAID Public Information:
202-712-4810 DATASOURCE: U.S. Agency for International Development
CONTACT: U.S. Agency for International Development Press Office,
+1-202-712-4320 Web Site: http://www.usaid.gov/
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