GOS BOOSTS TSUNAMI AID TO EUR 9.3 MILLION

UNCLAS MADRID 000169

SIPDIS

STATE PASS USAID

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID AEMR PGOV SP
SUBJECT: GOS BOOSTS TSUNAMI AID TO EUR 9.3 MILLION

REF: A. MADRID 149


B. MADRID 105


1. The MFA announced January 13 an increase of Spanish
humanitarian aid to Southeast Asian countries affected by the
tsunami to EUR 9.3 million (USD 12.2 million). This number

SIPDIS
is in addition to Spain's pledge of EUR 50 million (USD 65.5
million) in reconstruction credits. The MFA press release
indicates the decision to increase aid was made while Foreign
Minister Moratinos and Secretary of State for International
Assistance were visiting Sri Lanka, Thailand and Indonesia to
witness the tsunami,s effects first hand.


2. The funds that will be disbursed by the Spanish Aid Agency
(AECI) include three components. NGO's focusing on emergency
action and reconstruction will receive EUR 3 million (USD 3.9
million). Multilateral institutions, primarily UN agencies,
will receive EUR 2 million (USD 2.6 million). The GOS will
continue to send direct flights of humanitarian aid to the
region, which is predicted to reach EUR 4.3 million (USD 5.6
million).


3. Comment. The increase in Spanish aid announced after the
Foreign Minister's trip to the tsunami region confirms this
government's commitment to the victims of the disaster and a
robust humanitarian aid program.
MANZANARES