NETHERLANDS/PAKISTAN: GONL PLEDGES ANOTHER 5 MILLION EUROS

UNCLAS THE HAGUE 003032

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EUR/UBI/REITER
USEU FOR LERNER

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID PREL NL EHUM
SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS/PAKISTAN: GONL PLEDGES ANOTHER 5
MILLION EUROS



1. Econoff met with Joost Andriessen (Humanitarian Affairs
Director, MFA) at the first available opportunity on November
7 to get an update on Dutch contributions to earthquake
relief and inform him of U.S. efforts.


2. Andriessen said the GONL had pledged a second 5 million
euro (USD 6 million) tranche for the education of
child-survivors, raising total Dutch contributions to 28
million euros (USD 33.6 million). Dutch humanitarian relief
has been pledged as follows:

(in millions of euros; 1 Euro=USD 1.20)
UN Agencies 16.5
Red Cross 2.5
Local and International NGOs 4.0
Search and Rescue Team 1.0
Army Field Hospital 3.5
500 10-Person Tents 0.5


3. Andriessen said he shared U.S. concerns at how little
money had been raised worldwide. He speculated many
governments' budgets were probably depleted due to the Asian
tsunami and the end of the budget year. Andriessen said his

SIPDIS
ministry was still searching its year-end budget for more
money (Note: the Dutch fiscal year runs from January to
December). Andriessen thought the proposed November
reconstruction conference should be postponed at least until
mid-December to allow more time for an accurate needs
assessment and to give governments time to prepare pledges.
Development Minister Agnes van Ardenne intends to visit
affected areas in mid-December. Given the GONL budget
process, he said it was unlikely the GONL could pledge
reconstruction assistance before then.
BLAKEMAN