RED CRESCENT TO SEND 1,500 TENTS TO HAITI - TOTAL

UNCLAS KUWAIT 000090 SIPDIS NEA/ARP, USAID/W, DCHA/OFDA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAID ECON PREF PREL YM KU SUBJECT: RED CRESCENT TO SEND 1,500 TENTS TO HAITI - TOTAL AID INCREASED TO $3.5 MILLION REF: A. KUWAIT 79 ¶B. KUWAIT 35 ¶1. (U) Kuwait Red Crescent Society (KRCS) President Barges Al-Barges told emboffs January 30 that Kuwait had pledged a total of USD 3.5 million, KRCS had already sent USD one million to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent (IFRC),spent an additional USD 330,000 to purchase in-kind emergency relief supplies as agreed upon by the IFRC, and that disbursement of the remaining funds is under review "to ensure the funds go to the best effort". Emboffs thanked the Kuwaiti government, and the KCRS, for their contributions to Haiti relief. (ref a). ¶2. (U) Al-Barges sought clarification as to whether U.S. military airlift would be available to transport Kuwaiti tents to Haiti as had originally been requested by Health Minister Al-Sayer January 18. (ref b). Econoff explained the logistical challenges involved, noted that clearance was still pending, and suggested that if KCRS could arrange transport itself it should do so to avoid further delay. ¶3. (U) Red Crescent Humanitarian Assistance coordinator Yousef Al-Merag confirmed to Econoff February 1 press accounts that day indicating that KCRS had dispatched an aircraft carrying 750 tents for Haiti. Al-Merag said the Amir had provided an aircraft from the Amiri fleet (likely his personal 747, which is not cargo configured) to move two separate shipments of 750 tents each (1500 total) immediately to Haiti via the Dominican Republic. Al-Merag was open to the possibility of providing further tents should U.S. military assets be made available to move them. ********************************************* ********* For more reporting from Embassy Kuwait, visit: visit Kuwait's Classified Website at: http://www.intelink.sgov.gov/wiki/Portal:Kuwa it ********************************************* ********* JONES