|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
| Monday, 3 January 2005 |
 |
|
 |
News | |
| News Business Features Editorial Security Politics World Letters Sports Obituaries
|
Sweden expresses its anguish at the tragic loss of lives and the devastation caused to Sri Lanka and other countries due to the tsunamis and earthquakes since Sunday December 26, 2004 and joined Sri Lanka in its national day of mourning on December 31. As a mark of respect to those who lost their lives in this catastrophe, all government flags in Sweden were flown at half-mast on January 1, 2005. The Swedish Government on December 29 made an initial allocation of 500 Million Swedish Kronor (US$ 80 mn) for humanitarian relief to tsunami and earthquake victims in South and East Asia. So far, Sida has given SEK 67 million (US$ 10.7 mn) to various organizations working in the affected regions. UNICEF received SEK 20 million (US$ 3.2 mn) to address basic health care needs including drinking water, sanitation and hygiene materials, as well as protection, psychosocial support and family reunification measures. UNICEF would use these funds for Sri Lanka, Aceh, Northern Sumatra and Maldives. The Swedish Red Cross has been given SEK 25 million (US$ 4 mn) for appeals made by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. The money is for temporary housing, food, mosquito netting, as well as building materials and equipment and would be used by the Red Cross in the affected region. In addition, the Swedish Red Cross would also deploy water and sanitation emergency response units for a period of four weeks. In terms of specific assistance to Sri Lanka, Sida is funding the Swedish Rescue Services Agency with SEK 1.8 mn (US$ 288,000) to support five experts in Sri Lanka-Two of them work with United Nations Disaster Assessment and Co-ordination (UNDAC) Team in Sri Lanka as IT and communications specialists, one would work with the European Union's assessment team and two others would work with the Ministry of Social Welfare to distribute 300 tents and 2500 blankets to Sri Lanka. Sweden is also funding Swedish Non-governmental organizations in Sri Lanka on their relief efforts and Diakonia, FORUT and PMU-Interlife have been given SEK 5 mn (US$ 800,000). Sweden anticipates additional requests for relief and then to rebuild the lives of those who have been affected, and resolves to assist in such endeavours stoo, states a press release from the Embassy of Sweden. |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security
Produced by Lake House |
