For Immediate Release
February 11, 2005

Global Message

President Bush seeks $950 million as part of the supplemental request to support the rehabilitation and reconstruction of areas devastated by the Indian Ocean Tsunami, and to cover the costs of the U.S. government's relief efforts to date. The tsunami supplemental will include estimated allocations of:

$339 million for reconstruction of infrastructure, such as the construction of roads, schools, and water distribution systems;

$168 million to help victims return to their communities, including food aid, shelter, housing reconstruction, and education;

A total of $35 million for early warning and disaster mitigation efforts - $23 million to improve the international and U.S. tsunami early warning system, and $12 million to enhance tsunami early warning and disaster mitigation in the affected countries;

$62 million for good governance and technical assistance for planning reconstruction activities and the costs of U.S. government agency operations in the region; and

$346 million to replenish costs incurred by the United States Agencies for International Development (USAID) and the Defense Department for provision of immediate relief.

Possible debt deferment for tsunami affected countries, if necessary.