Clinton: India has done commendable relief work
Special Correspondent
Praises relief work at multiple levels of governance
CHENNAI: : India has done "a very good job of providing its own financing" and helping its neighbours in the aftermath of the tsunami, the former U.S. President and Special Envoy of the United Nations Secretary-General for Tsunami Recovery, Bill Clinton, said on Friday.
"The challenge was unprecedented and there were so many things that needed to be addressed. In terms of work at the grass-roots level, they have done better than you could have predicted," he said.
He was answering questions from presspersons at the old airport lounge here after returning from a visit to the tsunami-affected Nagapattinam.
Commending the relief work at multiple levels of governance, Mr. Clinton said the local Government had done an excellent job, coordinating its efforts with the U.N. system people and with non-governmental organisations.
``This is a big challenge everywhere. Because you have hundreds of NGOs that want to help, even when money is not needed, particular services are. I think the Indian people all across the country can feel good about that," he said.
In rehabilitation too, "good progress is being made."
http://www.hindu.com/2005/05/28/stories/2005052814361200.htm