The U.S. Government Seeks $950 Million 
for Tsunami Relief 

February 11, 2005

The U.S. Government is seeking $950 million to support the rehabilitation and reconstruction of areas devastated by the tsunami. This amount is an expansion of the U.S. Government’s initial commitment of $350 million.

In a statement released by the White House on February 9, President George Bush said: “I will seek $950 million as part of the supplemental appropriations request to support the areas recovering from the tsunami and to cover the costs of relief efforts to date… We will use these resources to provide assistance to work with the affected nations on rebuilding vital infrastructure that re-energizes economies and strengthens societies.”

The $950 million in total aid throughout tsunami-affected countries will include $339 million for reconstruction of infrastructure, $168 million to help victims transition back to their communities, $35 million for early warning and disaster mitigation efforts, $62 million for good governance and technical assistance, and $346 million to replenish costs incurred by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Defense Department for provision of immediate relief.

As for Indonesia, the U.S. Government, through USAID, will provide approximately $450 million in additional grant assistance to help continue to support the people of Aceh and North Sumatra as they rebuild. These new, additional funds are in addition to more than $100 million already provided by USAID and the Department of Defense for humanitarian assistance and supplies.

According to William M. Frej, USAID Mission Director, “this additional grant assistance will provide funding for rehabilitation and reconstruction; the transition from camps to communities as residents of the affected areas rebuild their lives, livelihoods, towns and cities; large-scale infrastructure, including roads, bridges and water systems; and helping national, provincial and local governments develop disaster response plans and early warning systems.”

In addition, the U. S. Government continues to provide direct support to the Government of Indonesia with the Navy Hospital Ship USNS Mercy, Navy Combat Stores Ship USNS San Jose and the High Speed Vessel Swift and four helicopters which accompany them. These ships are currently off the coast of Banda Aceh and are assisting with medical and health care needs of people in that region.

USAID Administrator Andrew Natsios said, “I would think the proposal of President Bush is the most generous and most extensive in U.S. history for the U.S. Government in terms of aid for natural disasters.”

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