UN HEADQUARTERS, NEW YORK 9/2/05
: "UNITED NATIONS READIES TO AID IN KATRINA; ANNAN AND BUSH CONFER
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This morning, the Secretary-General spoke with President Bush and expressed his heartfelt sympathy for the victims of Hurricane Katrina and reiterated his offer of UN assistance.
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In terms of what the United Nations is currently doing in response to Hurricane Katrina, an inter-agency task force, chaired by the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), is meeting this morning to determine what UN resources are available at the moment to aid the relief effort, in anticipation of a possible request for assistance from the U.S. Government.
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The task force is composed of representatives from OCHA and the Executive Office of the Secretary-General, as well as the UN Children’s Fund, the World Health Organization, the World Food Programme, the Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees, the UN Human Settlements Programme, and the Food and Agriculture Organization.
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Thus far, it has been determined that the agencies are ready to provide water storage tanks, water purification tablets, high-energy biscuits, generators, planes, tents, and other emergency supplies, as well as experienced staff members.
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OCHA has also sent out a general alert to the UN Disaster, Assessment and Coordination teams, which are trained to evaluate needs and coordinate aid during natural disasters.
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Asked whether the United States has asked for help, the Spokeswoman said that the task force had been set up in anticipation of a request coming. She said that Emergency Relief Coordinator Jan Egeland made an offer initially to U.S. Ambassador John Bolton. The Secretary-General reiterated that offer of assistance to President George W. Bush.
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In response to further questions, the Spokeswoman said that the United Nations would try to make precise offers about what it could provide, such as its expertise in mobilizing aid and in prioritizing needs. The United Nations, she said, has a wealth of expertise and technicians that can help.
*
This morning, the Secretary-General spoke with President Bush and expressed his heartfelt sympathy for the victims of Hurricane Katrina and reiterated his offer of UN assistance.
*
In terms of what the United Nations is currently doing in response to Hurricane Katrina, an inter-agency task force, chaired by the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), is meeting this morning to determine what UN resources are available at the moment to aid the relief effort, in anticipation of a possible request for assistance from the U.S. Government.
*
The task force is composed of representatives from OCHA and the Executive Office of the Secretary-General, as well as the UN Children’s Fund, the World Health Organization, the World Food Programme, the Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees, the UN Human Settlements Programme, and the Food and Agriculture Organization.
*
Thus far, it has been determined that the agencies are ready to provide water storage tanks, water purification tablets, high-energy biscuits, generators, planes, tents, and other emergency supplies, as well as experienced staff members.
*
OCHA has also sent out a general alert to the UN Disaster, Assessment and Coordination teams, which are trained to evaluate needs and coordinate aid during natural disasters.
*
Asked whether the United States has asked for help, the Spokeswoman said that the task force had been set up in anticipation of a request coming. She said that Emergency Relief Coordinator Jan Egeland made an offer initially to U.S. Ambassador John Bolton. The Secretary-General reiterated that offer of assistance to President George W. Bush.
*
In response to further questions, the Spokeswoman said that the United Nations would try to make precise offers about what it could provide, such as its expertise in mobilizing aid and in prioritizing needs. The United Nations, she said, has a wealth of expertise and technicians that can help.
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Asked about the Secretary-General’s reference to U.S. disaster relief, Okabe said that the United States has been instrumental in assisting in disaster relief in the past."
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