French aid to countries affected by the Tsunami
[January 27, 2005 - 5.30 GMT]

The relief effort from the Government of France towards the countries affected by the Tsunami is established, to date, at close to 50 million Euros (around 6.5 billion rupees). 

This sum includes the following figures: 

-   17.6 M € has been granted less than one week after the beginning of the crisis to several United Nations agencies (4 M € UNICEF, 4 M € OMS, 1.5 M € PAM, 0.5 M € BCAH), 5 M € to ICRC, as well as 2.6 M € of remaining funds to PAM, assigned specifically for the crisis situation in Asia. 

-   23 M € has been allocated by the French government, mainly to Sri Lanka and Indonesia. A limited number of areas have been targeted (water, health and epidemic prevention, children, aid for economic reconstruction). We are presently proceeding towards a precise identification of needs, in collaboration with services involved in this cause, in order to better adjust our aid for reconstruction. We count equally on the evaluations that are being conducted by multilateral organisations and European Institutions. France is in fact insistent that its aid should be in coherence with other donors for an optimum impact of international aid, with the partnership with NGOs. 

-   4.7 M € has been cleared for humanitarian aid and emergency assistance: dispatching by special or commercial flights of groups of aid workers, detachment of Civil Security troops and experts (identification of corpses), close to 150 tonnes of humanitarian aid cargo, repatriation operations, and given the services of a maritime patrol boat for search and rescue operations. 

Sri Lanka has thus received: 

-   First-aid workers of the Civil Security and about twenty doctors  NGO aid workers, dispatched since 27^th 28^th December, before the visit of the French Minister of Foreign Affairs, who held discussions with the President of Sri Lanka. 

-   70 tonnes of humanitarian aid cargo. 

-   50 metric tonnes of medicine dispatched for the benefit of the Red Cross. 

-   Several tonnes of medicine dispatched with the Minister of Solidarity, Health and Family, who arrived in the island on the 3^rd and 4^th of January.

Maldives on their part received: 

-   5 tonnes of humanitarian aid cargo 

-   45 tonnes of relief dispatched by the frigate Dupleix who is carrying out a support mission for the local authorities in the zone since the 11^th of January.

NGOs, Private enterprises and local communities have strongly mobilized side by side with the government. These estimates evolve daily and remain as an indication but could reach 100 M €, which is around 13 billion rupees: 

-   65 M € of aid from the French public towards NGOs, 

-   13 M € originating from private enterprises 

-    Nearly 10 M € from local communities.

To be added are the bilateral effects, the measures taken regarding debt and commercial order presently being discussed within the relevant departments (Club de Paris, International financial institutions, community authorities). In the same spirit, France is equally open to measures that could be adopted in commercial matters (particularly in the implementation of Generalised System of Preference (GSP). The exact impact of such measures can only be estimated subsequently. Loans on concession basis for reconstruction is also under survey (300 M €).

France contributes finally, in a significant manner (17%), to important European budgets mobilized for this crisis (23 M € on ECHO, 100 M € on the emergency reserve for humanitarian action, 300 M €, mid term, for reconstruction).

France militates in favour of the development of a Tsunami early warning system for the Indian Ocean. UNESCO appears to be the most suitable institution to initiate the creation of this network (the intergovernmental oceanographic commission is currently supervising the existing alert system in the Pacific). France is equally favourable towards a contribution from the European Union (co-ordination of initiatives of member states and the financing).

The ASEAN Summit in Jakarta held on the 6^th of January recognized the Central role of the United Nations in the co-ordination of humanitarian aid and reconstruction. The European Union recalled this primary role of the United Nations and its undertaking, during the extraordinary meeting of the general affairs of 7^th January (first contributor). 

We pledge equally for the implementation, for life, a European force for civil protection around a light structure of co-ordination of units already existing in member states, likewise of a United Nations humanitarian force (Letter of the President of the Republic to the United Nations Secretary General on the 5^th of January). The contribution of the countries of the Asia-Oceania zone (China, Japan, Australia) as well as the countries that were also affected, like India, and the rest of the donors should be recognized.

Contact Information: Send mail to gosl@presidentsl.org with questions or comments about this web site. 
Last Updated Date: January 27, 2005 - 5.30 GMT