Clinton here on November 29
UNITED NATIONS, (AFP) - US former president Bill Clinton plans to
return to Sri Lanka and Indonesia in his role as UN special envoy for
tsunami relief to assess recovery efforts since last December's deadly
earthquake and tsunami, his office said Thursday.
Clinton will visit Colombo on November 29 and the Indonesian province
of Aceh the following day, it added in a statement.
It will be Clinton's second trip to the region as UN special envoy
for tsunami recovery. He visited Indonesia, India, Sri Lanka and the
Maldives last May.
The former US leader will then travel to Brussels on December 1 to
report back to the European Commission, discuss ongoing needs in the
recovery efforts and coordination between the European Commission and
other key players.
In both Sri Lanka and Indonesia, Clinton will meet all concerned
parties, including the Government, civil society, affected communities,
UN officials, donors and members of the private sector to assess the
current status of the recovery effort and address existing challenges.
As special envoy, Clinton has brought together senior officials from
the UN, the World Bank, non-Governmental organisations and the private
sector both in the United States and Europe.
The massive quake measuring more than 9.0 on the Richter scale sent a
shockwave across the Indian Ocean last December 26, unleashing tsunamis
speeding at up to 700 kilometres per hour in every direction. |