India offers $5 mn for US Katrina victims
PTI[ FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 09, 2005 10:19:53 AM ]
WASHINGTON: India has handed over a cheque of five million dollars to the US for relief activities in areas affected by Hurricane Katrina.
Indian Ambassador to the US Ronen Sen presented the cheque to President and CEO of the American Red Cross Marty Evans on Thursday.
This is a token of the sympathy, support and solidarity of the Government and people of India for those affected by the terrible calamity, Sen said.
Officials of the American Red Cross said that India was one the first countries to follow up its commitment of assistance.
India has also offered large water purification systems for household and community level operations, essential medicines and a self-sustaining, self-supporting medical team as well as divers and salvage experts, an Indian embassy release said here.
Over the last few days, India has also had two aircraft, which are ready to take off at short notice, loaded with over 50 tons of initial supplies.
These will take off from the capital immediately on receiving the green signal from the US authorities.
Meanwhile, US Rep Gary Ackerman, Democratic Co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans has thanked both the Government of India and the Indian American community for donating money and resources to the Hurricane related relief efforts.
"I would like to take this opportunity to thank India and its people for the great outpouring of generosity and support for the victims of Hurricane Katrina," he said.