Press Releases

U.S. Government Contributes an Additional $400,000 for Seychelles Tsunami Disaster Assistance

April 29, 2005

The U.S. Government is pleased to announce that it is contributing U.S. $400,000 to the recovery efforts following the extensive damage caused by the Indian Ocean tsunami of Sunday December 26, 2004.  The contribution consists of funds provided by the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) and the U.S. Agency for International Development’s Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA). 

The $300,000 from CENTCOM will be used to purchase emergency response equipment for consequence management during emergency situations.  The $100,000 from OFDA will be channeled through the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, to help Seychelles government efforts to restore the livelihood of artisanal fishermen affected by the tsunami.

Early January of this year, in the aftermath of the tsunami, the U.S. Government donated $50,000 to the emergency appeal of the Red Cross Society of Seychelles to address the immediate needs of those most severely affected by the tsunami.  U.S. Navy personnel were also in Seychelles in January to help with the post tsunami cleanup efforts.

This announcement was made to the Government of Seychelles in conjunction with the visit of Ambassador John Price and CENTCOM Commander General John Abizaid to Seychelles, April 27-29, 2005.