For Immediate Release
January 10, 2005

Global Message

America fully supports tsunami relief and reconstruction. U.S. officials look forward to participating in the UN Donors Conference in Geneva on Tuesday.

The United States is leading a massive international response to help tsunami victims, and has made an initial commitment of $350 million for disaster relief. This amount is supplemented by private donations of about $200 million, military assets, and more contributions to come.

Former Presidents Bush and Clinton are leading a nationwide charitable fundraising effort to encourage private donations to the relief effort.

The U.S. military has responded by committing 13,000 troops to the relief effort. Other military contributions include water, food, medical supplies, aircraft, and support ships.

The U.S. military has deployed $20 billion in assets in the region to aid tsunami victims. These assets cost $6 million a day to operate.