UK pledges further 35 million pounds to aid Asian earthquake victims
31/12/2004 11:31
The British government on Thursday announced a further 35 million pounds
(about US$62.5 million) to help the victims of the Asian earthquake that struck
on Sunday. The further donation brings Britain's total contribution to 50
million pounds, making Britain the largest bilateral donor so far to the relief
effort. "We have looked at the initial assessment from our teams on the
ground. We have also received financial appeals from the Red Cross, the United
Nations and from a large number of UK aid agencies. And it is now sadly clear
that the scale of destruction and loss of life is increasing all the time,"
British International Development Secretary Hilary Benn said in a
statement. "I have said from the start of this crisis that we would make
available the money needed...We will use this money to respond to appeals from
international aid agencies and to help get relief supplies to the countries
affected," the statement said. "Today, we are airlifting World Health
Organization medical supplies to Indonesia because there is an urgent need for
medical support. We are providing ten emergency health kits that each provides
basic medical supplies for ten thousand people for three months," the statement
added. Earlier on Thursday, British charities announced that they have so far
raised 15 million pounds in aid for Asian earthquake victims.
Xinhua
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