Related Documents - CREW: Department of State: Regarding International Assistance Offers After Hurricane Katrina: Talking Points

, Managing Foreign Financial Contributions
for Hurricane Katrina Recovery
Background and Purpose
A number of foreign governments and other entities have offered financial

contributions to the United States to use for relief, recovery, and reconstruction
activities in areas of the gulf states hit hard by Hurricane Katrina. The U.S.
, Government needs to determine rapidly how best to manage these funds.
The purpose of this paper is to review briefly relevant past experience with
fiduciary mechanisms and implementation issues for managing large contibutions,
fiom multiple foreign sources, used'for financing relief and reconstruction
activities in areas previously afflicted by natural disaster or war. The priority is to
identify mechanisms that can be quickly established; are flexible in receiving
contributions; do not require legislation to implement; and are effective and
accountable in managing funds.
The options for managing foreign funds for Katrina include transferring hnds to:
1. U.S. Federal Government special account, potentially located in FEMA;

2. State or local special accounts in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama;
3. Multi-donor trust hnd, e.g., such as those managed by the World Bank or
UN, but potentially managed by a private sector accounting firm or special
U.S. organization created for the purpose; or
4. Charitable, private account(s), e.g., the BushIClinton Katrina Fund, Red
Cross.
Essential Factors
The major essential factors for consideration in choosing a fiduciary model are as
follows:
- m a t e v e r mechanism is used for foreign donations must be beyond reproach in

terms of transparency, accountability, speed of disbursement, and appropriate
use of funds.
- Because many will likely scrutinize the speed of disbursement of foreign
donated funds, these funds (if promptly received) are likely best suited for
immediate reliefieconstruction activities -- not for that will require
time to d e s i l and contract.
- Any mechanism used should not require time-consuming legislation to

implement.
- Many donor governments have already donated directly to charities,

particularly to the American Red Cross, and we should respect those choices.
- A disadvantage of statellocal accounts is that the federal level, possibly in

consultation with the donors, could have to choose among different states and
localities.
- For a formal multi-donor trust fund, there is a de minimus level for

contributions below which the administrative costs of managing the
contribution outweigh the benefits. (For the UN trust fimd for Iraq, the
minimum contribution is $200,000.) Such de minimus levels would likely not
apply to the first two options of special accounts at the federal or sub-federal
levels.
- A few donors, primarily CCC countries, have pledged significant funds ($100
million or more) that may be beyond the absorptive capacity of charities. For
these few donors, a special financial arrangement is likely necessary.
- For either a special account or a multi-donor trust fund, those responsible for
allocating its fwlds must be able to determine needs at the local level, prioritize
needs across the affected region, avoid duplication with the rest of the
relief7reconstruction effort, hire contractors if necessary, akd to the extent
possible, track all assistance through expenditure of funds for reporting back to
donors, the public, and Congress.
Attachment A provides an overview of considerations relating to the four options

outlined above with regard to the issues of legislative requirements, speed,
capacity, coordination, and accountability.
Attachment B summarizes the experience with trust fund mechanisms managed by

the World Bank and others.
Tab A. Comparison of Funding Channels
Easily integrated with
reconstruction, and very

Tab B. Experience with World Bank and Other Trust Fund Mechanisms
Overview of Trust Funds
Trust fbnds are defined as dedicated fimds, contributed for a particular purpose,
and governed by trust fund laws, by a fiduciary body responsible for their prudent
management.
Donations of any sort may be deposited into a trust fbnd pool. Donors may be
nations, sets of nations, or private donors such as citizens or corporations.
Administration should be neutral and follow fiduciary standards, with no self-
dealing. There should be a dividing wall between the donor and the fund
management so that large donors do not exert inordinate influence over the fund.'
Trust funds are usually used when the capacity of the recipient country is low
and/or as a mechanism to enforce coordination among donors.
In part due to time it takes to establish the governance of trust finds, assistance
from most World Bank and UN trustfbnds usually takes 6-12 months before
results are seen on the ground.
World Bank Lessons I,earned2
With regard to design and procedural issues for post-conflict trust hnds, the World
Bank has identified a number of lessons from their experiences:
- Trust funds allow donors without an aid presence on the ground to assist
recipient countries.
- The trust find must fulfill both a fiduciary (legal, accounting, disbursement,
reporting) and executive h c t i o n , where the latter includes an agreed
reconstruction program, ownership by government and major donors, a .
1
Ruthame Cecil, Sovereignty, Automaticity, and International Trust Funds: A Proposal for
Implementation of Tobin-style Taxes, Center for Environmental Economic Development,
September 200 1.
2
Salvatore Schiavo-Campo, Financing and Aid Management Arrangements in Post-Conflict
Situations, CPR Working Paper No. 6, Social Development Department, The World Bank, June
2003.
workable interface with the local aid management agency, transparency in
implementation, and opportunities for input from recipient publics.
- It is important to avoid a fragmentation of finding vehicles between the

recurrent and investment budgets, and it is also imperative to have in place
measures to minimize corruption and leakages before h n d commitments are
made.
- It is important that the government and donors agree from the outset on an exit
strategy for the aid management agency.
- While time is of the essences for aid interventions, no compromise can be

made with the need to put in place measures to minimize corruption and
leakages before the trust fund enters into any commitment.
Examples of Reconstruction Trust ~ u n d s ~
Financing Mechanism Objective Operation Results
International Ensure coordinated, 6,
Funded by 26 donors and consists of two distinct funds Within the first year, over $1 billion in
Reconstruction Fund flexible and swift managed by the United Nations Development Group and deposits had been received by the IRFFI
Facility for Iraq donor response for World Bank respectively. Coordination between hnds is (about $600m by the UN fund and $400m
(IRFm) financing priority ensured by the IRFFI Facility Coordination Committee. by the World Bank fund).
expenditures, Combined deposits are just over $1 billion. Minimum By August 2005, the UN had allocated
including cont~ibutio~ls are $200,000 for UN fund and $1 million for almost all of its funds to projects and
World Bank fund. Administrative fees charged by the World disbursed $270rn for projects underway or
reconstruction Bank are estimated at 4% over life of the fund. UN fees are completed. The World Bank, by the end of
activities, sector-wide 0.8% for fund management and additional 3-7% for UN July 2005 had allocated all of its funds and
programmes, implementing agencies. disbursed $3 1m for completed projects.
investment projects, s Donors contributing at least $10 million sit on the IRFFI
technical assistance.' Donors' Committee and provide strategic guidance to the
funds.
The IRFFI coordinates closely with Iraqi authorities on
project selection and prioritization. The Iraqi Strategic
Review Board approves all IRFFI projects before
implementation.
Afghanistan Promoted coordinated e Funded by 24 donor countries, and jointly managed by World a By early 2005,24 donors have pledged
Reconstruction'Trust assistance to Bank (WB), the Financial Status Report, the Asian nearly USD 1 biliion to the ARTF since its
Fund the Government Development Bank (ADB), and the Islargic Development inception. . n e AR- currently finances 12
of Afghanistan (GOA). Bank (IDB). The ARTF is overseen by a Management . investment projects, of which nine are
ARTF helps with Committee (MC) consisting of representatives from the ADB, active and four are awaiting effectiveness,
priority projects and IDB, UNDP, and WB. for a total commitment of USD 173 million.
programs to rebuild Main instrument for support to the GOA's recurrent Roughly one-third of this has been
Afghanistan and expenditures - funding such necessary costs as the salaries of disbursed thus far.
facilitate-thereturn of. teachers and health workers. The ARTF Program is also used ARTF projects are grouped into three
skilled expatiate increasingly as a mechanism to fund priority investments in . categories: 1) infrastructure, 2) community
Afghans to the country.
It also provides short-
term emergency
. the Government's reconstruction program
The scale of funding, large number of donors, and the
political importance have meant that particular attention has
development/ service delivery, and 3)
capacity development in the public sector
(CD). Committed funds are highest in the
hnding for salaries of been paid to the governance of the ARTF. The Fund's infrastructure and the community
civil servants. oversight, reporting structures, and practices are thus quite development project groups, which have
Salvatore Schiavo-Campo, Financing and Aid Management Arrangements in Post-Conflict Situations, CPR Working Paper No. 6, Social Development
Department, The World Bank, June 2003, and the Terms of Reference for IRFFI, United Nations and World Bank, December 11,2003.
comprehensive. The WB contracted an external Monitoring been more effective in achieving their
Agent (MA) who monitors, supports and reports on these objectives than the CD projects.
claims against eligibility criteria and fiduciary standards. The * With regard to prioritization among the
MA's early focus was the central Ministry of Finance (MOF) three types of projects, most agree that grant
procedures. It then moved on to assessing performance in the funds should not be used for capital
relevant line ministries, and is now also carrying out site visits intensive infrastructure activities, since
to provinces, including line ministry departments there. most can find concessional loan funding,
* ARTF does not pennit ear-marking of fiinds for particular can generate service income or other forms
activities by the donors. However, donors can express of burden-sharing funding. Grants monies
preferences for specific projects or programs for a portion of should instead focus on public goods and
their overall contribution. These preferences can be expressed poverty reduction activities: community
only for activities for which a funding gap exists. development and public sector CD.
It is still too early for most of the
infrastructure projects to be assessed for
their effectiveness. Only one (Kabul roads)
has been completed, and it has delivered ,
according to it objectives. Five ARTF
projects - Kabul roads, MISFA, NEEP,
NSP, and TAFSU - have delivered
substantive service to date. With the
exception of TAFSU, these have all
delivered services that directly reduce
poverty.
Trust Fund for East Multi-donor trust fund Established as a trust fund under IDA, constituted of the TFET programs were in agriculture,
Timor to support contributions from bilateral and other donors as well as economics and institutional capacity
reconstruction and transfers from Bank surplus and income fiom investing building, education, health, small
development activities the contributions. IDA was the Trustee, responsible for enterprise development, roads, power and
managing and using the funds, and for entering into petroleum sector technical assistance.
contribution agreements with each donor. . * Over 20 grant agreements were negotiated,
The Bank, as Trustee, had sole responsibility for the largest of which were for $30 million
administering the TFET, and received 1% of the total for emergency infrastructure (with ADB),
contributions to cover its costs. As administrator, the and for health, education, water and
Bank was responsible for keeping records and accounts, sanitation, and agriculture (about $80
commitments, receipts and disbursements, and reporting million in total). An additional $22 million
annually to the Bank Board and the contributors. was granted to finance a set of community
However, the implementing agency had sole empowerment activities. The results on
responsibility for theuse of TFET resources for the the ground were comparably fast for an
projects that it implemented. Each grant made by the MDTF, but still took nine months for the
Bank had to be administered in accordance with Bank fust results to be felt on the ground.
procedures, including for consultant selection and
procurement.
@ All TFET projects are implemented by Government
Ministries.
Trust Fund for Bosnia blulti-donor trust fund Except for a small recurrent cost component, the TFBH
and Herzegovina 0 support financed only investments.
'econstruction and Administered by the Bank, it was designed as a potential
levelopment activities MDTF, and could accept contributions from other donors
on terms to be agreed between the Bank and each
contributor.
The beneficiary of the TFBH was very broadly defined as
either BiH or "appropriate public and private entities",
and the purpose was "emergency reconstruction".
The largest single investment was $45 million for the
Emergency Recovery Project, which covered a variety of
urgent interventions, including a positive list of imports,
lines of credit, support for core government institutions,
and a social find for transitional cash assistance to the
poorest households. The remaining $1 15 million were
invested in more conventional projects.
All TFBH funds were to be committed within two years.
To finance emergency Contributions from donors were converted into $US and 0 The three main components were:
Gaza and the West projects-the first two co-mingled in a pooled Holst Fund trust account. recurrent budget support, initially for
Bank (TPGWB) and 3f which were the Allocation decisions were made by the Bank, in the ministries of education and health;
the Holst Fund Emergency consuItation with the Palestine Council for job creation, tkrough the Emergency
Rehabilitation Project Reconstruction and bevelopment (PECDAR), based on Employment Generation Program; and
and the Education and the disbursement categories specified in the grant microprojects. When private
Health Rehabilitation agreement. Among the precedents established by the investment proved much weaker than
Project. Fund was that, while the funds were commingled, the envisaged, after thc replenishment of
Bank would keep a record of each donor's "preferred late 1995 the TFGWB placed even
contributions, and report to the donor community on greater emphasis on employment
aggregate expenditure by sectors-without allowing any generation and community
earmarking as such. development, with a focus on small-
Administrative costs totaled about 4% of h d s scale infrastructure.
contributed, with fees of 2% each for the Bank and the
Agent.
IDA was the Administrator (trustee), responsible for
managing and using the funds and for entering into
contribution agreements with each donor. PECDAR (see
below) was the main implementing agency for the PA.
* The guiding principle of Holst Fund administration was
maximum responsiveness consistent with accountability
and transparency, as the fiduciary risks associated with
financing salaries and other recurrent costs are greater
than for normal investment operations.
* Among the standard safeguards were requirements that
PECDAR, as implementing agency, maintain accounts
and records consistent with sound accounting practices;
retain an independent auditor acceptable to the Bank, to
develop internal controls and submit an annual audit
report within six months of the end of the year; and
provide monthly progress reports to the Bank.
PECDAR's performance in these respects was
satisfactory.
* Procurement procedures were consistent with Bank rules
but provided for some additional flexibility and
discretion. Thus, purchases for more than $200,000 could
be made by international procurement, and those for
smaller amounts by national procurement. Services for
the Gaza cleanup operation could be directly contracted if
procedures were judged acceptable.
s, Makes grants to a wide range of parpers (institutions,
nongovernmental organizations, United Nations agencies,
transitional authorities, governments, and other civil
society institutions) to provide earlier and broader World
Bank assistance to conflict-affected countries.
Grants are focused on the restoration of the lives and
livelihood of war-affected population, with a premium
placed on innovative approaches to conflict, partnerships
with donors and executing agencies and leveraging
.resources through a variety of funding arrangements.
* Much donor fundinn" will aDass through Trust Funds set up I The governments will use the Trust ~ u n d s
bv
-,the "eovemments concerned withihe World Bank. 1 for the rehabilitation of social 1
* The Trust Funds will operate under World Bank fiduciary infrastructure (hter alia health. education),
control so there is also faith in sound fmancial the restarting of livelihoods (inter alia
fisheries, tourism) and to rebuild
4
European Commission, Tsunami Indicative Programme, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Maldives, (2005 - 2006), External Relations Directorate General, C(2005) 1490,
Brussels, May 23, 2005, p. 15.
communities can management. If such controls slip or are not assured for infrastructure (e.g. housing, wells,
function again), restart whatever reason, support will be stopped. hospitals/clinics, roads)
livelihoods, and repair Programs and projects receiving donor support will be
larger infrastructures, based on national reconstruction plans, decided by the
such as roads. governments.
@ The attractions for this Trust Fund approach are:
o Trust Funds promote more effective coordination of
donor activities. The plethora of donors and other
organizations operating without control make
coordination by government and authorities
particularly difficult. Pooling donor resources removes
the coordination problem among those contributing
donors.
o Trust Funds permit maximum efficiency in
implementation as they use one set of procedures and
have one overall management system.
o The Trust Fund approach permits donors to participate
in strategic policy dialogue with government on
reconstruction approaches.
o Trust Funds permit a bottom-up 'community-led'
approach for livelihoods and community support, the
main need which reconstruction :id will address.
Under the trust funds in Indonesia and Sri Lanka,
great emphasis is being made on ensuring the
communities themselves lead in defrning and
addressing their needs.
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UNCLASSIFIED
Managing Foreign Financial Contributions

for Hurricane Katrina Recovery
Background and Purpose
A number of foreign governments and other entities have offered financial

contributions to the United States to use for relief, recovery, and reconstruction
activities in areas of the gulf states hit hard by Hurricane Katrina. The U.S.
Government needs to determine rapidly how best to manage these funds.
The purpose of this paper is to review briefly relevant past experience with
fiduciary mechanisms and implementation issues for managing large contributions,
from multiple foreign sources, used for financing relief and reconstruction
activities in areas previously afflicted by natural disaster or war. The priority is to
identi@ mechanisms that can be quickly established; itre flexible in receiving
contributions; do not require legislation to implement; and are effective and
accountable in managing hnds.
The options for managing foreign funds for Katrina include transferring fwnds to:
1. U.S. Federal Government special account, potentially located in FEMA;

2. State or local special accounts in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama;
3. Multi-donor trust fund, e.g., such as those managed by the World Bank or
UN, but potentially managed by a private sector accounting firm or special
U.S. organization created for the purpose; or
4. Charitable, private account(s), e.g., the Bush/Clinton Katrina Fund, Red
Cross.
Essential Factors
The major essential factors for consideration in choosing a fiduciary model are as
follows:
- Whatever mechanism is used for foreign donations must be beyond reproach in

terms of transparency, accountability, speed of disbursement, and appropriate
use of funds.
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
- Because many will likely scrutinize the speed of disbursement of foreign

donated f h d s , these funds (if promptly received) are likely best suited for
immediate relieflreconstruction activities -- not for projects that will require
time to design and contract.
- Any mechanism used should not require time-consuming legislation to

implement. .
- Many donor governments have already donated directly to charities,

particularly to the American Red Cross, and we should respect those choices.
- A disadvantage of state/local accounts is that the federal level, possibly in

consultation with the donors, could have to choose among different states and
localities.
- For a formal multi-donor trust hnd, there is a de minimus level'for

contributions below which the administrative costs of managing the
contribution outweigh the benefits. (For the UN trust fwld for Iraq, the
minimum contribution is $200,000.) Such de minimus levels would likely not
apply to the first two options of special accounts at the federal or sub-federal
levels.
- A few donors, primarily GCC countries, have pledged significant funds ($100
million or more) that may be beyond the absorptive capacity of charities. For
these few donors, a special financia1 arrangement is likely necessary.
- For either a special account or a multi-donor trust fund, those responsible for
allocating its fbnds must be able to determine needs at the local level, prioritize
needs across the affected region, avoid duplication with the rest of the
relieflreconstruction effort, hire contractors if necessary, and to the extent
possible, track a11 assistance through expenditure of fbnds for reporting back to
donors, the public, and Congress.
Attachment A provides an overview of considerations relating to the four options

outlined 'above with regard to the issues of legislative requirements, speed,
capacity, coordination, and accountability.
Attachment B summarizes the experience with trust fund mechanisms managed by

the World Bank and others.
UNCLASSIFIED
Tab A. Comparison of Funding Channels
Transparency and Legislative

Accountability Action Required Speed Coordination Capacity
High Federal fiduciary Possible, but not needed Easily integrated with
requirements, if created within an May be slowed - other federal
legislation required or Can easily program and
Federal transparency of agency with gift government programs, manage funds, but
allocation decisions by possible need to use
Account authority and a and best if with an contracting and
depends on structure legislative mandate for of federal procurement
regulations (unless organization or agency implementation capacity
chosen, monitoring domestic relief (i.e. central to the unclear
must be built in waivers created)
FEMA) coordination effort
Depends on structure Can easily program and
and procedures for Federal legislation likely Depends on legislation
StatdLocal not required, but State requirements and Easily integrated with manage funds, but
specific state, contrading and
Account(s) legislation may be contracting capacity of. other state programs
monitoring may have implementation capacity
required specific state
to be built in unclear
May be slowed as new
Hard because must
Must be build into structure is organized
LikeIy required if establish new
Multi-Donor structure, but public and begins operations,
established by a USG mechanisms to Depends on organization
Trust Fund sector oversight organization, otherwise but quicker in coordinate with federal, managing trust fund
required implementation if
no. state and Iocal
procurement is Iess
cumbersome
authorities .
Coherence with existing Virtually all focus on
Depends on fiduciary Allocation may be rapid, charity programs, but no relief rather than
Charitable and monitoring . No but implementation may guarantee of reconstruction, and very
Organizations controls of the be slowed by capacity coordination with other large gifts may
organization(s) constraints charities, as well as state overwhelm current
and federal programs capacity
UNCLASSIFIED
-4-
Tab B, Experience with World Bank and Other Trust Fund Mechanisms
Overview of Trust Funds
Trust funds are defined as dedicated funds, contributed for a particular purpose,
and governed by trust fund laws, by a fiduciary body responsible for their prudent
management.
Donations of any sort may be deposited into a trust fund pool. Donors may be
nations, sets of nations, or private donors such as citizens or corporations.
Administration should be neutral and follow fiduciary standards, with no self-
dealing. There should be a dividing wall between the donor and the fbnd
management so that large donors do not exert inordinate influence over the find.'
Trust finds are usually used when the capacity of the recipient country is low
andor as a mechanism to enforce coordination among donors.
In part due to time it takes to establish the governance of trust finds, assistance
from most World Bank and UN trust h d s usually takes 6-12 months before
results are seen on the ground, I
World Bank Lessons ~ e a r n e d ~
With regard to design and procedural issues for post-conflict trust funds, the World
Bank has identified a number of lessons from their experiences:
- Trust h d s allow donors without an aid presence on the ground to assist

recipient countries.
- The trust fund must fulfill both a fiduciary (legal, accounting, disbursement,
reporting) and executive function, where the latter includes an agreed
reconstruction program, ownership by government and major donors, a
1
Ruthanne Cecil, Sovereignty, Automaticity, and International Trust Funds: A Proposal for
Implementation of Tobin-style Taxes, Center for Environmental Economic Development,
September 200 1.
Salvatore Schiavo-Campo, Financing and Aid Management Arrangements in Post-Conflict

Situations, CPR Working Paper No. 6 , Social.DeveIopment Department, The World Bank, June
2003.
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
-5-
workable interface with the local aid management agency, transparency in

implementation, and opportunities for input fkom recipient publics.
- It is important to avoid a fragmentation of funding vehicles between the

recurrent and investment budgets, and it is also imperative to have in place
measures to minimize corruption and leakages: before fund commitments are
made.
- It is important that the government and donors agree from the outset on an exit
strategy for the aid management agency.
- While time is of the essences for aid interventions, no compromise can be

made with the need to put in place 'measures to minimize corruption and
leakages before the trust find enters into any commitment.
UNCLASSIFIED
Examples of Reconstruction Trust F'unds3
Financing Mechanism Objective Operation I Results
International Ensure coordinated, Funded by 26 donors and consists of two distinct funds Within the first year, over $1 billion in
Reconstruction Fund . flexible and swift managed by the United Nations Development Group and deposits had been received by the IWFI
Facility for Iraq donor response for World Bank respectively. Coordination between funds is (about $600111 by the UN fund and $400m
(WFT) financing priority ensured by the IWFI Facility Coordination Committee. by the World Bank fund).
expenditures, Combined deposits are just over $1 billion. Minimum By August 2005, the UN had allocated
including contributions are $200,000 for UN fund and $1 million for almost ail of its finds to projects and
World Bank fund. Administrative fees charged by the World disbursed $270m for projects underway or
reconstruction Bank are estimated at 4% over life of the fund. UN fees are completed., The World Bank, by the end of
activities, sector-wide 0.8% for fund management and additional 3-7% for UN July 2005 had allocated all of its funds and
programmes, implementing agencies. disbursed $3f m for completed projects.
.investment projects, Donors contributing at least $10 million sit on the IRFFI
technical assistance. Donors' Committee and provide strategic guidance to the
funds.
The IRFFI coordinates closely with Iraqi authorities on
0 project selection and prioritization. The Iraqi Strategic
t' . Review Board approves all IRFFI projects before
k implementation.
Afghanistan Promoted coordinated Funded by 24 donor countries, and jointly managed by World By early 2005,24 donors have pledged
Reconstruction Trust assistance to Bank (WB), the Financial Status Report, the Asian nearly USD 1 billion to the ARTF since its
WJ Fund the Government Development Bank (ADB), and the Islamic Development inception. The ARTF currently finances 12
Ed of Afghanistan (GOA). Bank (IDB). The ARTF is overseen by a Management .
investment projects, of which nine are
u ARTF helps with
priority projects and
Committek (MC) consisting of representatives from the ADB,
TDB, UNDP, and WB.
active and four are awaiting effectiveness,
for a total commitment of USD 173 million.
programs to rebuild Main instrument for support to the GOA's recurrent Roughly one-third of this has been
Afghanistan and expenditures - funding such necessary costs as the salaries of disbursed thus far.
facilitate the return of teachers and health workers. The ARTF Program is also used ARTF projects are grouped into three
skilled expatriate increasingly as a mechanism to fund priority investments in categories: 1) infrastructure, 2) community
Afghans to the country. the Government's reconstruction program. development/ service delivery, and 3)
It also provides short- The scale of funding, large number of donors, and the capacity deveIopment in the public sector
term emergency political importance have meant that particular attention has (CD). Committed f h d s are highest in the
hnding for salaries of been paid to the governance of the ARTF. The Fund's infkastructure and the community
civil servants. oversight, reporting structures, and practices are thus quite development project groups, which have
3
Salvatore Schiavo-Campo, Financing and Aid Management Arrangements in Post-Conflict Situations, CPR Working Paper No. 6 , Social Development
Department, The World Bank, June 2003, and the Terms of Reference for W F I , United Nations and World Bank, December 11,2003.
comprehensive. The WE%contracted an external Monitoring been more effective in achieving their
Agent (MA) who monitors, supports and reports on these objectives than the CD projects.
claims against eligibility criteria and fiduciary standards. The With regard to prioritization among the
MA's early focus was the central Ministry of Finance (MOF) three types of projects, most agree that grant
procedures. It then moved on to assessing performance in the h d s should not be used for capital
relevant line ministries, and is now also canying out site visits intensive infrastructure activities, since
to provinces, including line ministry departments there. most can find concessional loan fbnding,
ARTF does not permit ear-marking of funds for particular can generate service income or other forms
activities by the donors. However, donors can express . of burden-sharing funding. Grants monies
preferences for specificprojects or programs for a portion of should instead focus on public goods and
their overall contribution. These preferences can be expressed poverPtyreduction activities: community
only for activities for which a funding gap exists. development and public sector CD.
It is still too early for most of the
inbstructure projects to be assessed for
their effectiveness. Only one (Kabul roads)
has been completed, and it has delivered
according to it objectives. Five ARTF
projects - Kabul roads, MISFA, NEEP,
NSP, and TAFSU - have delivered
substantive service to date. With the
exception of TAFSU, these have all
delivered services that directly reduce
poverty.
Trust Fund for East Multi-donor trust fimd Established as a trust fund under IDA, constituted of the TFET programs were in agriculture,
Timor to support contributions &ombilateral and other donors as well as economics and institutional capacity
reconstruction and transfers fiom Bank surplus and income fiom investing building, education, health, small
development activities. the contributions. IDA was the Trustee, responsible for enterprise development, roads, power and
managing and using the funds, and for entering into petroleum sector technical assistance.
contribution agreements with each donor. Over 20 grant agreements were negotiated,
- The Bank,as Trustee, had sole responsibility for the largest of which were for $30 million
administering the TFET, and received 1% of the total for emergency infrastructure (with ADB),
contributionsto cover its costs. As administrator, the and for health, education, water and
Bank was responsible for keeping records and accounl, sanitation, and agricuIture (about $80
commitments, receipts and disbursements, and reporting million in total). An additional $22 million
annually to the Bank Board and the contributors. was granted to finance a set of community
However, the implementing agency had sole empowerment activities. The results on
responsibility for the use of TFET resources for the . ,
the ground were comparably fast for an
projects that it implemented. Each grant made by the MDTF, but still took nine months for the
Bank had to be administered in accordance with Bank first results to be felt on the ground.
procedures, including for consultant selection and
procurement.
All TFET projects are implemented by Government
Ministries.
Trust Fund for Bosnia Multi-donor trust fund Except for a small recurrent cost component, the TFBH
and Herzegovina to support financed only investments.
reconstruction and Administered by the Bank, it was designed as a potential .
development activities MDTF, and could accept contributions &om other donors
on terms to be agreed between the Bank and each
contributor.
The beneficiary of the TFBH was very broadly defined as
either BiH or "appropriate public and private entities",
and the purpose was "emergency reconstruction".
The largest single investment was $45 million for the
Emergency Recovery Project, which covered a variety of
urgent interventions, including a positive list of imports,
lines of credit, support for core govenunent institutions,
and a social fund for transitional cash assistance to the
poorest households. The remaining $1 15 million were
invested in more conventional projects.
All TFBH funds were to be committed within two years.
The Trust Fund for To fmance emergency Contributions f?om donors were converted into $US and The three main components were:
Gaza and the West projects-the fxst two co-mingled in a pooled Holst Fund trust account. recurrent budget support, initially for
Bank (TFGWB) and of which were the Allocation decisions were made by the Bank, in the ministries of education and health;
the Holst Fund Ernergency consultation with the Palestine Council for job creation, through the Emergency
Rehabilitation Project Reconstruction and Development (PECDAR), based on Employment Generation Program; and
and the Education and . the disbursement .categoriesspecified in the grant rnicroprojects. When private .
Health Rehabilitation agreement. Among the precedents established by the investment proved much weaker than
Project. Fund was that, whiIe the funds were commingled, the envisaged, after the replenishment of
Bank would keep a record of each donor's "preferred" late 1995 the TFGWB placed even
contributions, and report to the donor community on greater emphasis on employment
aggregate expenditure by sectors-without allowing any generation and community
earmarking as such. development, with a focus on small-
• Administrative costs totaled about 4% of funds scale infrastructure.
contributed, with fees of 2%each for the Bank and the
Agent.
IDA was the Administrator (trustee), responsible for
managing and using the funds and for entering into
contribution agreements with each donor. PECDAR (see
below) was the main implementing agency for the PA.
The guiding principle of Holst Fund administration was I
maximum responsiveness consistent with accountability
and transparency, as the fiduciary risks associated with
financing salaries and other recurrent costs are greater
than for normal investment operations.
Among the standard safeguards were requirements that
PECDAR, as implementing agency, maintain accounts
and records consistent with sound accounting practices;
retain an independent auditor acceptable to the Bank, to
develop internal controls and submit an annual audit
report wiWi six months of the end of the year; and
provide monthly progress reports to the Bank.
PECDAR's performance in these respects was
satisfactory. I
Procurement procedures were consistent with Bank rules
but provided for some additional flexibility and
discretion. Thus, pychases for more than $200,000 could
be made by international procurement, and those for
smaI1er amounts by national procurement. Services for
the Gaza cleanup operation could be directly contracted if
procedures were judged acceptable.
Makes grants to a wide range of partners (institutions,
$
V1
nongovenunental organizations, United Nations agencies, V1
transitional authorities, governments, and other civil
society institutions) to provide earlier dnd broader World
FI
Bank assistance to conflict-affected countries. E
Grants are focused on the restoration of the lives and
livelihood of war-affected population, with a premium
u
placed on innovative approaches to conflict, partnerships
with donors and executing agencies and leveraging
resources through a variety of funding arrangements.
Tsunami To hnd programs to Much donor funding will pass through Trust Funds set up The governments will use the Trust h n d s
Reconstruction Trust regenerate communities by the governments concerned with the World Bank. for the rehabilitation of social
1 Funds for Indonesia, (including repair to The Trust Funds will operate under World Bank fiduciary infrastructure (inter alia health, education),
I Maldives, and Sri
4
housing and social control so there is also faith in sound financial the restarting of livelihoods (inter alia
1,anka amenities so fisheries, tourism) and to rebuild.
4
European Commission, Tsunami Indicative Programme, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Maldives, (2005 - 2006), External Relations Directorate General C(2005) 1490,
Brussels, May 23,2005, p. 15.
communities can management. If such controls slip or are not assured for
b c t i o n again), restart whatever reason, support will be stopped.
livelihoods, and repair Programs and projects receiving donor support will be
larger infrastructures, .
based on national reconstruction ~Ians.,decided bv
-, the
----
1 such as roads. I governments.
The attractions for this Trust Fund approach are:
o Trust Funds promote more effective coordination of
donor activities. The plethora of donors and other
organizations operating without control make
coordination by government and authorities
particularly difficult. Pooling donor resources removes
the coordination problem among those contributing
donors.
o Trust Funds permit maximum efficiency in
implementation as they use one set of procedures and
have one overall management system.
o The Trust Fund approach permits donors to participate
in strategic policy dialogue with government on
reconstruction approaches.
o Trust Funds permit a bottom-up 'community-led*
approach for livelihoods and community support, the
main need which reconstruction aid will address.
Ulider the trust fimds in Indonesia and Sri Lanka,
great emphasis is being made on ensuring the
communities themselves lead in defining and
addressing their needs.
UNCLASSIFIED
Draft:USAID/PPC :DAdams/State/EB:RDemarcellus:P:\PPC.SHARED\
2005\September\Managing Foreign Contributions for Kahina -
v4.doc:9-9-05.doc
Clearances:
A/AID:Andrew Nsttsisos OK 9-9-05
State/EB: EAWayne
StatelEBIIFD: Lgreenwood info
StateL: JThessin OK
State/NEA: Swalker info
StateISP: Terath OK
StateE: Snewhouse OK
State/P: Cecheverria info
Statem: Cdavies info
State/RM: Skaplan info
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
Norman, Alain G RET.F.ASEl3TN P A R T
From: Keener, Geraldine F B2
Sent: Friday, October 14, 2005 1252 PM
To: or man, Alain G; YU, Alan K; Davidson, Terry R; EUR-PPD-PA; Graffy, Colleen P; Knight,
Jeffrey A'Thomas, Harry K(S/ES)
Cc: Allegrone, Kathleen H; Cook, Nerissa J; Sterling, Adam H
Subject: RE: MRN 162270
Thanks but-all the guidances are due in before i2-that's why there is a lot of pressure to get clearances quickly and in
the right order- Harry Thomas and Dan Fried had the final cut. It went to Adam by 12. Not everybody's suggestions
made it to the last draft. But with so many smart people working on this it isn't strange that everyone has ideas-that's i
MRE (2).doc (36

KB)
what they pay us for, no? I am attaching the final.
Gerry Keener
Press Office
Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs
Department of State
202-647-8602
KeenerGF@State.gov
From: Norman, Afain G

Sent: Friday, October 14, 2005 12:29 PM
To: Yu, Alan K; Keener, Geraldine F; Davidson, Terry R
Cc: Allegrone, Kathleen H; Cook, Nerissa J; Sterling, Adam H
Subject: FW: MRN 162270
FYI, more background (note initial stance: we accept everything in principle, but that we'd advise whetherlhow to
"implement" the offer).
From: Chagnon, Natalie L

Sent: Friday, October 14, 2005 1157 AM
To: Norman, Alain G(Main State)
Subject: MRN 162270
UNCLASSIFIED PTP2198
PAGE 01 STATE 162270 0211342
@INFO: A(oo) C(oo) CMS(oo) DIMCOO) DSCC(oo)

G(oo) IRM(oo) M(oo) MMP(oo)
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UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE
REVIEW AUTHORITY: FRANK TUMMINIA
DATEJCASE ID: 15 SEP 2006 200503991 L~CLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
ORIGIN SSO-00
INFO LOG-00 NP-00 AF-00 AID-00 AIT-00 AMAD-00 U S W - 0 0

AOP-00 AEX-00 AS-00 A-00 ACQ-00 CA-00 COME-00
CCOE-00 INL-00 C-00 DIM-00 DOTE-00 WHA-00 DS-00
MEDE-00 EAP-00 EB-00 EUR-00 F W - 0 0 UTED-00 FDRE-01
FEMA-01 FOE-00 VC-00 FSI-00 OBO-00 H-00 TEDE-00
INR-oo 10-00 LAB-or L-oo VCE-oo MFLO-oo MMP-oo
MOFM-00 MOF-00 M-00 AC-00 NM-00 NSAE-00 OCS-00
OES-00 OIC-00 OIGOO NIMA-00 OPR-00 PA-00 PER-00
PM-00 ACE-00 P-00 SCT-00 IRM-00 SS-00 MR-00
T-00 SA-00 ASDS-00 FMP-00 R-00 ECA-00 SCRS-00
SDBU-00 PMB-00 DSCC-00 PRM-00 DRL-00 G-00 ALM-OO
SAS-00 PMA-00 SWCI-00 / o o ~ R
162270
SOURCE: D1sKETTE.042563
DRAFTED BY: S/ES-O/CMS:AEDILWORTH -- Og/02/2005 (202) 647-7640
APPROVED BY: S/ES:HKTHOMAS
S/ES-0:J BASS S/ES-O/CMS:MMORROW P:JHEFFEW, D:INFO;
L:LGROSH; PA:INFO S/ES-0: CELDER
DESIRED DISTRIBUTION:
S, D, P, E, T, M, G, C, R, TFUSOI, S/ES-0, S/ES-3, S/ES-
IRM, S/ES-O/CMS, S/ES-EX, A-5, A, ECA, EUR, AF,N W P A SA,
----------- ------32oAA2 0211352 /38
0 0211322 SEP 05
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO ALL DIPLOMATIC AND CONSULAR POSTS COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
AMEMBASSY KHARTOUM IMMEDIATE
AMEMBASSY DUSHANBE IMMEDIATE
USLO TRIPOLI IMMEDIATE
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JICPAC PEARL HONOLULU HI IMMEDIATE
CDR USPACOM HONOLULU HI IMMEDIATE
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CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL IMMEDIATE
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CDR USJFCOM NORFOLK VA IMMEDIATE
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CDR USSTRATCOM OFFUTT AFB NE IMMEDIATE
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UNC~ASSIFIED
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JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC//J-1/J-3:JOD// IMMEDIATE
HQ USSOUTHCOM 32 MIAMI FL IMMEDIATE
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CIA WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE oooo
HOMELAND SECURITY CENTER WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE oooo
DEPT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
DEPT OF ENERGY WASHINGTON DC IMMEDUTE
UNCLAS STATE 162270

INFORM CONSULS I'
E.O. 12958: N/A

TAGS: PREL,ECON, AEMR, ASEC, CASC, MARR, AMGT, US
SUBTECT: TFUSoi: TASK FORCE FORMATION TO DEAL WITH THE
AFTERMATH OF HURRICANE KATRINA.
C O R R E C T E D COPY(VlCESTATEi62226) I
STATE PASS USAID/OFDA
DHS FOR FEMA/OZA
I. This message contains an immediate action request in

para 3 for missions in countries that already have offered
the USG assistance. It also contains broader action
requests for all missions.
2. At 0700 EDT on September 2, the Executive Secretary

directed that a Task Force be established in the
Operations Center to support the Department of Homeland
Security and Federal Emergency Management Agency in
dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. The Task
Force's main mission is to provide a central clearinghouse
and coordination point for international offers of
assistance and welfare/whereabouts queries. The Task
Force will operate daily from 0700 to 2300 EDT until
further notice. Contact information for the Task Force is
below at para 8. .
OFFERS OF ASSISTANCE FROM FOREIGN GOVERNMENTS

.............................................
3. The Department, in consultation with other cabinet
departments, has decided to immediately accept in
principle all/all offers of foreign assistance will be
accepted in principle. In those countries who already
have formally offered assistance, Chiefs of Mission are
instructed to convey the following interim reply by COB
Friday September 2 to senior host government ofEcial(s):
-- We are grateful for your generous offer and we accept

it in principle.
-- U.S. agencies are still evaluating the situation to

determine the most critical immediate needs. Our disaster
UNCLASSIFIED
management experts will include your offer in their .
planning of evolving disaster response efforts.
-- We will advise you as soon as we can on whether and how

we would like to implement your generous offer.
In those countries that have not yet made specific offers,

Chiefs of Mission should immediately respond to any
forthcoming offers with the preceding interim reply.
Note: we expect to provide more formal thanks in the
coming days. .
4. Addressees should convey all offers of assistance to

the Task Force, preferably by front channel cable, but by
other means if necessary. It is not necessary to repeat
offers already conveyed prior to 2100 EDT September 1.
Please be as specific as possible. These offers of
assistance will be reviewed by F E W and other USG entities
before a determination of acceptance will be made. The
Task Force will convey these decisions to posts.
5. Missions are authorized to open condolence books if

they believe it would be helpful and appropriate. Any
other displays of mourning, including lowering of the flag
at U.S. Missions, will be communicated via septel.
6. The Department is periodically briefing

representatives of the diplomatic community in Washington
on the developing USG response and our efforts to address
their numerous whereabouts inquiries. We also are
providing daily electronic updates to locaI missions.
WELFARE AND WHEREABOUTS ISSUES

--------------------------am--
7. Posts that receive welfare/whereabouts inquiries from

host government officials should convey this information
to the Task Force, which is working directly with foreign
missions on tracing issues. Please flag any high profile
or special circumstances cases.
8. Private foreign citizens should be urged to direct

their inquires to the appropriate foreign mission in the
United States if they cannot first contact their loved
ones/associates directly. The Department will follow up
with the foreign missions as appropriate. Post may also
refer private foreign citizens to the various public
websites listed in ALDAC State 161077 of 9/1/05. In
addition, posts may refer private foreign citizens to the
ICRC website www.famil~links.icrc.org.This "Family News
Network of the ICRC" includes a specific tab for Hurricane
Katrina, allowing users to consult a list of names of
persons affected by the hurricane who have managed to
register themselves on the site.
TASK FORCE CONTACT INFORMATION

UNCLASSIFIED
9. For internal State Department business or other

official business, call (202) 647-6611. Unclassified fax
is (202) 647-7094.
During non-Task Force hours, calls may be directed to the

Operations Center at (202) 647-1512.
Task Force
IThe unclassified email address for the Task Force is
'TaskForcei@State.gov'; The classified email address for
the Task Force is TaskForcei@State.sgov.gov'.
Department of State personnel may email the Task Force at

the 'Task Force 1' email collective address on both the
classified and unclassified email systems.
10. The Task Force is under the direction of Amb. Eileen

A. Malloy. The Task Force includes representatives of the
following bureaus and offices: S/ES-O/CMS, CA, DSIOFM,
EAP, EB, EUR, M/DGHR/FLO, USAID/OFDA, OES, PA, PM, PRM,
WNA.
11. The Task Force is the center of all Department

activity concerned with this situation. All reporting
related to the Task Force should include the same
indicator which appears at the beginning of the subject
line of this message:
12. MINIMIZE CONSIDERED

RICE
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
Talking Points for Ambassador Sullivan
15 September, 2005 (midday)
Baton Rouge, P C 0
Commodity movements:
As of September 15, USAID has received 34 commodity flights ( I 1 from the UK, 3 from France,
2 from Italy, 2 from Russia, 2 from Spain; 2 from Egypt, 2 from Tunisia, 1 from China, 2 from
Thailand, 2 from UNICEF, I from Israel, I from India, 1 from the Czech Republic, 1 from
Luxembourg, and 1 from Sweden) carrying MREs, food, generators, school supplies, shelter
materials, emergency personnel, telecommunications equipment, and assorted emergency relief
commodities. On September 14, USAID facilitated the ground transport of non-perishable food
from Egypt, Israel, and Thailand, cots and blankets from Spain and Israel, and hygiene kits from
India to locations in Jackson, MS and Hammond, Hahnville, and Marrero, LA.
To date, USAID has transported 86 truckloads of foreign-donated commodities out of Little

Rock AFB (61 to Louisiana, 19 to Mississippi, 4 to Arkansas, and 2 to Texas) to distribution
centers run by the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), the Louisiana
Emergency Management Agency (LEMA), the Louisiana National Guard, and other local
organizations.
NATO continues to airlift commodities donated by European nations from Ramstein Base,
Germany to Little Rock AFB. The NATO airlift, which started on September 12, will fly one
NATO cargo plane every other day from September 15 through September 23.
Two flights carrying international goods are expected at Little Rock today, including 16 tons of
Russian bandages and a NATO flight of tarps, plastic sheeting, and camp beds fkom Austria and
blankets, camp beds, first aid kits, and soap from Slovakia. ,A flight of tarps, diapers, and
cleaning items are expected to arrive in Dallas, TX and there may be diapers, bandages, and
blankets from Chile arriving in Miami.
MWs:
As of 20:OO September 14, of the less than 500,000 MREs received from abroad, the majority of
which are from the UK, approximately 222,000 were returned to Little Rock for inspection.
More than 132,000 British MREs have been dropped and distributed for consumption. To date,
FEMA reports that more than 25 million MREs have been distributed.
USAID field staff in Louisiana and Mississippi are visiting distribution sites where a variety of
international goods are being distributed (further information to follow as it becomes available).
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
STATE-SOUTH CONTACT NUMBERS:
/
For general inquiries, call: (225) 242-6083 - 89
//
/"
7
To e-mail S e-South: travelingline@,yahoo.com
UNCLASSIFIED
I
RELEASED IN FULL
Seeretarv's Foreign Assistance Talking:Points for 9/12/05
I
We are gratehl for the continuing outpouring of assistance arriving by air, land, and sea fiom the
world community. Asof today, 118 countries and 12 international organizations have offered
1
money, food, and technical assistance to the recovery efforts. These generous offers will do I
I
much to alleviate the human suffering caused by the destructive hurricane and its aftermath.
The situation on the ground is dynamic, and the U.S. Government emergency response
authorities continue to determine what is required most urgently to meet the immediate needs of
those suffering from the hurricane's impact.
Gifts in various forms fiom all over the world continue to pour in, including cash assistance,
supplies, fuel, technical expertise and equipment. The U S . greatly appreciates these outpouring
of offers of support and assistance fiom around the world. We are continuing to work to match
our needs with the types of materials and expertise that are being offered so as to be able to
mobilize resources in the most effective way possible.
This effort to match needs and offers is an ongoing process and is based in part on our ability to
absorb assistance and utilize it well. Thirty planes with relief supplies from abroad have arrived.
Some of the airports closest to the affected areas are facing a backlog of inbound planes bringing
relief supplies and workers. With 118 countries so far offering assistance, we ask for patience as
disaster assessment experts determine what is needed now and establish priorities. We will then
be in touch with countries that have made offers. At this point, we have received or expect,
assistance f?om 83 countries and two international organizations.
We are coritinuing to receive tremendous support fiom our good neighbors both to the north and
to the south. Canada and Mexico have been extremely generous, and we deeply appreciate the
care and concern the people and governments of both those countries have expressed.
Today, I am meeting with representatives of several countries which have been extremely
generous in the wake of this tragedy. Here are some examples:
Israel has offered material and medical assistance,.including 500 tarps and 300 camp
beds.
Malaysia and Pakistan have each offered $1 million to the Red Cross.
Saudi Arabia has offered $100 million on top of a $250,000 donation made by the
Saudi Agfund charity and a $5 million donation made by the Saudi Refining
Company.
The Iraq Red Crescent Society has offered $1 million to the Red Cross.
Thailand has donated 94 boxes of blankets and 15.175 tons of rice.
Even more than the actual material support, we appreciate the goodwill that has generated these
offers. The American people have a long tradition of extending a hand to those in need. Now, in
our time of need, we are deeply touched to see the response of people from every comer of the -
world.
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE,

DATEICASE ID: 27 SEP 2006 200503991 UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
Although it is primarily American citizens who are in need, we recognize that many foreign
nationals are also missing andlor displaced in the aftermath of this tragedy. We are working with
consular oficers representing a large number of countries to allow them to visit the region and
assist their nationals.
Secretarv's Forei~nAssistance Talking Points for Meetings on 9/12/05
Meeting with Council of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations
We are very grateful for the generous offers we have received from Israel in the wake of the
tragedy of Hurricane Katrina. Israel has offered numerous material items, including beds,
blankets, food items, satellite communications equipment, and generators. Also, the government
has offered physicians, nurses and other medical support.
Bilateral meet in^ with Pakistani President Musharraf /.

We would like to thank you for Pakistan's offer of $1 million to the Red Cross. Pakistan's
hrther offer of commodity assistance is extremely generous and very much appreciated. The
relief effort has been a very dynamic process, and our needs have been constantly changing. We
are evaluating your offer in ,light of our current needs, and will discuss this issue further with
officials in your Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
ASEAN FM Meeting
The members of ASEAN have been incredibly generous with their offers of assistance. I would
especially like to thank those countries which are in attendance today. We have received
financial assistance offers from Brunei, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Malaysia and medical
assistance offers from Indonesia, Vietnam, and the Philippines. Singapore offered the use of
helicopters currently attached to the Texas National Guard as part of a long-term training
. assignment. These helicopters are currently in operation. Thailand's contribution of 94 boxes of
blankets and 15.175 tons of rice arrived yesterday at our relief staging area in Little Rock,
~ansas.
Roundtable on Women's Empowerment
We would very much like to thank those in this group whose countries have made generous
offers of assistance to the United States in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, including offers of
$1 00,000 from Afghanistan and $500,000 from Morocco and offers of water purification and
technical assistance in combating waterborne diseases from South Africa. I would also like to
especially thank the Iraq Red Crescent Society, which has offered $1 million to the Red Cross.
MCC Signin? Ceremony
We would like to thank President Saakashvili and Foreign Minister Zourabichivili for Georgia's
offer of $50,000 in relief of Hurricane Katrina.
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
RELEASED IN FULL
Secretary's Foreign Assistance talk in^ Points for 9/11/05 as of 11 :00 9/09/05.
We are grateful for the continuing outpouring of assistance ariving by air, land, and sea from the
world community. As of today, 115 countries and 11 international organizations have offered
money, food, and technical assistance to the recovery efforts. These generous offers will do
Gifts in various forms from all over the world continue to pour in, including cash assistance,
supplies, fuel, technical expertise and equipment. Twentyseven (27) planes with relief supplies
from abroad have arrived at a central distribution point in Little Rock, Arkansas. Two of the
flights fkom yesterday contained 20 tons of relief supplies fiom Tunisia.
We are continuing to receive tremendous support fiom our good neigbors both to the north and
care and concern the people and governments of both those counties have expressed.
While I cannot list here all the offers, here are some of the newest from all over the world:
o France has offered 17 divers and one tugboat .

o Malaysia and Pakistan have each offered $1 million to the Red Cross
o Namibia offered $100,000 worth of food items
o Cambodia offered $20,000 to the U.S. Government
our time of need, we are deeply touched to see the response of people from every comer of the
world.
nationals are also missing andfor displaced in the aftermath of this tragedy. Foreign consular
representatives, tourists, students, and other visitors are in need. We are working with consular
officers representing a large number of countries to allow them to visit the region and assist their
nationals.
To bolster both our efforts to assist foreign consular personnel and coordinate the distribution of
donated resources, we have established an office in Baton Rouge, Louisiana--called State South
for short. State South is headed by Ambassador Joseph G. Sullivan, who, until Hurricane
Katrina struck, had been the Department's Diplomat in Residence at Tulane University in New
Orleans. Ambassador Sullivan is a respected public servant, a Career Minister in the Senior
Foreign Service with over 30 years of diplomatic experience in Africa, the Middle East, Latin
, America, and Europe.
Points for Secretary 9 Sept 2300.doc
\\sessfp22u\taskforce\TF1\D~~s\Talking

UNCLASSIFIED
RELEASED IN FULL
Secretary's Foreign Assistance Talking Points for 9/11/05 as of 11 $0 9/10/05.
We are grateful for the continuing outpouring of assistance ariving by air, land, and sea fiom the
world community. As of today, 1 15 countries and 12 international organizations have offered
Gifis in various forms from all over the world continue to pour in, including cash assistance,
supplies, hel, technical expertise and equipment. The U.S. greatly appreciates these outpouring
our needs with the types of materials aned expertise that are being offered so as to be able to
absorb assistance and utilize it well. Twenty-seven (27) planes with relief supplies fiorn abroad
have arrived at a ce~itraldistribution point in Little Rock, Arkansas. Two of the flights fiom
yesterday contained 20 tons of relief supplies from Tunisia.
disaster assessment experts determine what is needed now and establish priorities. We .will then
be in touch with countries that have made offers.
We are continuing to receive tremendous support from our good neigbors both to the north and
Offers of assistance have come fiom around the world and reflect recognition that the victims of
Hurricane Katrina require immediate material assistance as weH as long term financial support.
Here are some examples:
Andorra has offered 1000 bedsheets, 1000 pillows, medical kits and other supplies
The Bahamas has offered a cash donation of $50,000.
The Republic of Korea has offered 2 tons of diapers and other supplies as part of the
many items it is willing to send
Egypt has offered 6,000 blankets and supplies
A local school in Medan, Indonesia has offered $25,000 in local currency.
Malaysia and Pakistan have each offered $1 million to the Red Cross
Namibia has offered $100,000 worth of supplies
I
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE I
I
DATEICASE ID: 27 SEP 2006 200503991 UNCLAS SIEIED
UNCLASSIFIED
world. Twenty embassies in Afi.ica have so far received over twenty-two thousand condolence
messages.
nationals are also missing and/or displaced in the aftermath of this tragedy. We are working with
consular officers representing a large number of countries to allow them to visit the region and
donated resources, we have established an office in Baton Rouge, Louisiana-called State South
Katrina struck, had been the,Department's Diplomat in Residence at Tulane University in New
Orleans. Ambassador Sullivan is a Career Minister in the Senior Foreign Service with over 30
years of diplomatic experience in Africa, the Middle East, Latin America, and Europe.
I:\TFI\Docs\Talking Points for Secretary 10 Sept 1 100.d~
UNCLASSIFIED
W L A S SIFIED
RELEASED IN FULL
Secretarv's Foreipn Assistance Talking Points for 9/11/05 as of 4:30 9i10105.
We are grateful for the continuing outpouring of assistance arriving by air, land, and sea from the
world community. As of today, 1 15 countries and 12 international organizations have offered
supplies, hel, technical expertise and equipment. The U.S. greatly appreciates these outpouring
our needs with the type of materials and expertise that are being offered so as to be able to
mobilize resources in the most effective way possible
This effort to match needs and offers is an ongoing process and is based in port on our ability to
absorb assitance and utilize it well. Twenty-seven (27) planes with relief supplies from abroad
have arrived at a central distribution point in Little Rock, Arkansas. Two of the flights fiom
yesterday contained 20 tons of relief supplies from Tunisia.
Some of the airports closest to the affect areas are facing a backlog of inbound planes bring relief
supplies and workers. With 115 countries so far offering assistance, we ask for patience as
Offers of assistance have come fiom around the world and reflect recognition that the victims of
Hurricane Katrina require immediate material assistance as well as long term financial support.
The Republic of Korea has offered 2'tons of diapers and baby formula'as part of its
Egypt has offered 6,000 blankets, 2.6 tons of powedered milk,and 2.2 tons of jam
A local theology school in Medan, Indonesia has offered $25,000 in local currency.
Namibia has offered $100,000 worth of canned fish

UNCLASSIFIED
our time of need, we are deeply touched to see the responses of people from every corner of the
world. Twenty embassies in Afi.ica have so far received over twenty-two thousand condolence
messages.
nationals are aIso missing andlor displaced in the aftermath of this tragedy. Foreign consular
representatives, tourists, students, and other visitors are in need. We are working with consular
officers representing a large number of countries to allow them to visit the region and assist their
nationals.
donated resources, we have estabIished an office in Baton Rouge, Louisiana--called State South
f o r short. State South is headed by Ambassador Joseph G. Sullivan, who, until Humcane
. . Orleans. Ambassador Sullivan is a respected public servant, a Career Minister in the Senior
Foreign Service with over 30 years of diplomatic experience in Africa, the Middle East, Latin
America, and Europe.
\kess@22u\taskfor~e\TF1\Docs\TalkingPoints for Secretary 9 Sept 2300.doc
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
JyY8
I
RELEASED n\J FULL !

Secretary's Forei~nAssistance Talking Points for 9/14/05
We greatly appreciate the generous support from the world community, As of today, 120
countries and 13 international organizations have made offers to assist our recovery efforts,
becoming our partners in improving the lives of Americans and others devastated by Hurricane
Katrina.
Government emergency response authorities are working to conclude what is required most to
meet the immediate needs of those suffering fkom the hurricane's impact. We are continuing to
work to match our needs with.the types of materials and expertise that are being offered to
At last, there are growing signs of recovery. Plans at New Orleans Airport to increase operations
.will reduce the backlog of inbound planes bringing relief supplies and workers. .
Here are some examples of countries that have made generous offers:
Singapore donated 4 helicopters to assist with relief efforts.

China donated $5 million, 1,000 tents, and 10,000 children's garments.
Pakistan has pledged $1 million to the Red Cross.
Peru has donated 1,600 bandages.
Greece has pledged 2,000 facial and body towels and a 500 bed ship.
Many individuals around the world have made personal contributions to the Red i
Cross and other relief organizations. One such individual in Japan donation $1
million from his personal h d s to Katrina Relief I
Even more than the actual material support, we appreciate the goodwill and human concern that
has generated these offers. Leaders the world over have expressed their sorrow for the lives lost
in this tragedy. Although it is primarily American citizens who are in need, we recognize that
many foreign nationals are also missing and/or displaced in the aftermath of this tragedy. We are . I
working with consular officers representing a large number of countries to allow them to visit the I
region and assist their nationals.
The American people have a long tradition of extending a hand to those in need. Now, in our
time of need, we are deeply touched by the response of people from every corner of the world.
I:\TF1Vlocs\TalkingPoints for Secretmy 14 Sept (New Draft).doc

UNCLASSIFIED
RELEASED IN FULL
Secretarv's Foreign Assistance Talking Points for 9/14/05 (32ko

We greatly appreciate the generous support from the world community. As of today, 120
Katrina.
Government emergency response authorities are working to conclude what is required most to
meet the immediate needs of those suffering from the hurricane's impact. We are continuing to
work to match our needs with the types of materials and expertise that are being offered to
At last, there are growing signs of recovery. Plans at New Orleans Airport to increase operations
will reduce the backlog of inbound planes bringing relief supplies and workers,

The Palestinian Authority has pledged $10,000.
Many individuals around the world have made personal contributions to the Red
Cross and other relief organizations, One such individual in Japan donated $1 million
from his personal funds to Katrina Relief
Even more than the actual 'material support, we appreciate the goodwill and human concern that
many foreign nationals are also missing and/or displaced in the aftermath of this tragedy. We are
working with consular officers representing a large number of countries to allow them to visit the
region and assist their nationals,
time of need, we are deeply touched by the response of people from every corner of the world.
Drafted: PAGidner ,llP Sitton, IIP Bullock

Cleared: ML Campbell

DATEICASE ID: 24 AUG 2006 200503991
UNCLASSIFIED
--.-.
. -.
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Secretary's Foreign Assistance Talking Points for 9/16/05
We greatly appreciate the generous support fiom the world community. As of today, 122
Katrina.
Government emergency response authorities are working to determine what is required most to
work to match the types of materials and expertise that are being offered to mobilize resources in
the most effective way possible.
The work of recovery is moving forward. In nearly all of Mississippi, electricity has been
restored. Trade is starting to return to the Port of New Orleans, and agricultural shipments are
moving down the Mississippi River. Workers have already begun to repair damage to highways
and bridges, and airports in New Orleans and Gulfport have already re-opened. All major
gasoline pipelines are operating, and we have not seen the supply disruptions that many feared.

The United Arab Emirates has pledged $100 million.
Brunei donated $1 million.
Iraq has pledged $1 million to the Red Cross, via the Red Crescent.
Mauritania donated $200,000 to the Red Cross.
Cross and other relief organizations. One such individual in Japan donated $1 million
fiom his personal funds to Katrina Relief.
in this tragedy. Although it is primiirily American citizens who are in need, we recognize that
many foreign nationals are also missing andfor displaced in the aftermath of this tragedy. We are
time of need, we are deeply touched by the response of people from every comer of the world.
Drafted: IIP, TBullock
Cleared: TFl , KAguilar

UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
FELEASED IN FULL
TF-1 Talking Points
September 14,2005
countries and 13 international organizations have made offers to assist our recovery
efforts, becoming our partners in improving the lives of Americans and others devastated
by Hurricane Katrina.
Government emergency response authorities are working to conclude what is required

most to meet the immediate needs of those suffering from the hurricane's impact. We are
continuing to work to match our needs with the types of materials and expertise that are
being offered to mobilize resources in the most effective way possible.
At last, there are growing signs of recovery. Plans at New Orleans Airport to increase
operations will reduce the backlog of inbound planes bringing relief supplies and workers.
Republic of Korea donated $30 million in cash and various in-kind relief
supplies
The Palestinian Authority has pledged $1 0,000.
Many individuals around the world have made personal contributions to the
Red Cross and other relief organizations. One such individual in Japan
donated $1 million from his personal h d s to Katrina Relief
Even more than the actual material support, we appreciate the goodwill and human
concern that has generated these offers. Leaders the world over have expressed their
sorrow for the lives lost in this tragedy. Although it is primarily American citizens who
are in need, we recognize that many foreign nationals are also missing and/or displaced in
the aftermath of this tragedy. We are working with consular officers representing a large
number of countries to allow them to visit the,region and assist their nationals.
The American people have a long tradition of extending a hand to those in need. Now, in
our time of need, we are deeply touched by the response of people from every corner of
the world.

. . .. UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
ah38
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I
DRGFT: Secretary's Foreipn Assistance Talking Points for 9/12/05
We are gratefhl for the continuing outpouring of assistance ariving by air, land, and sea from the
world community. As of today, 118 ? countries and 12 ? international organizations [check
Matrix being sent out as of 5:00 pm] have offered money, food, and technical assistance to the
recovery efforts. These generous offers will do much to alleviate the human suffering caused by
the destructive hurricane and its aftermath.
The situation on the ground is dynamic, and the U.S.Government emergency response ,
those suffering fiom the hurricane's impact.
Gifts in various forms fiom all over the world continue to pour in, including cash assistance,
supplies, fuel, technical expertise and equipment. The United States greatly appreciates these
outpouring of offers of support and assistance from around the world. We are continuing to
work to match our needs with the types of materials aned expertise that are being offered so as to
be able to mobilize resources in the most effective way possible.
absorb assistance and utilize it well. Twenty-eight (28) planes ?? [AID is source] with relief
supplies from abroad have arrived. .
relief supplies and workers. With 118 [repeat same # as in paragraph 11countries so far offering
assistance, we ask for patience as disaster assessment experts determine what is needed now and
establish priorities. We will then be in touch with countries that have made offers.
Offers of assistance have come from around the world and reflect recognition that the victims of
Fill in.. ...no new ones confirmed for release since 9/11 edition
world. Twenty embassies in Africa have so far received over twenty-two thousand condolence
messages.

REVIEW AUTHORITY: FRANK ,TUMMINIA
UNCLASSIFIED
RELEASED IN FULL
P A 0 Forei~nAssistance Talking: Points for 9/12/05
We are gratehl for the continuing outpouring of assistance arriving by air, land, and sea from the
The situation on the ground is dynamic, and the U.S.Government emergency response
Gifts in varihs forms from all over the world continue to pour in, including cash assistance,
supplies, he], technical expertise and equipment. The U.S. greatly appreciates this outpouring of
support and assistance from around the world. We are continuing to work to match our needs
with the types of materials and expertise being offered in order to mobilize resources in the most
effective way possible.
This effort to match needs and offers is an ongoing process, and is based in part on our ability to
absorb assistance and utilize it well. Thirty planes with relief supplies from abroad have already
arrived.
be in touch with countries that have made offers. At this point, we have received or expect
assistance &om 88 countries and 4 international organizations.
We are continuing to receive tremendous support from our good neighbors both to the north and
Here are some other examples of countries that are making generous offers:
Mongolia has donated $50,000 to the American Red Cross.

Luxembourg is donating 1000 camp beds and 2000 blankets to be shipped on
Wednesday.
Argentina has offered a 7-member "white helmets" team of bilingual mental health
professionals to assist in counseling the victims.
Russia has offered and we are accepting 16 tons of bandages. . ,
our time of need, we are deeply touched by the response of people fiom every comer of the
world.

UNCLASSIFIED
consular of'ficers representing a large number of countries to allow them to visit the region and
I:\TFlUIocs\PAO Talking Points 13 Sept 0700.doc
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
Choi, Martino I RET RASED &%#$
From: CMS TaskForcel F B6
Sent: Wednesday, September 14,2005 10:12 AM
To: Norman, Alain G(Main State)
Cc: TaskForce-I
Subject: FW: TFUSOI : RESPONSE ON OFFER OF FORENSICS
~eclineof forensics experts.

- - - - - Original Message-----
From: PATH Telegram Delivery
Sent: Wednesday, September 14, 2005 3:12 AM
To: UNGA P; Agor, Christina J; Aidekman, David S; Almodovar, Cindy Trodden; Amadeo,
~tefanie;Ansah-Twum, Ellen Y; Anthony, Tanya M; Archer, Louise V; Areias, Allison V;
Ball, Jacqueline A; Bame, David J; Barks-Ruggles, Erica; Barnett, Cheryl E; Beecroft,
Robert S; Beecroft, Robert S; Bockner, Matthew A; Boluda, Gladys; Bradley, Tobin J; Brose,
christian D; Buangan, ~ichardL; BuSSe, Mark D; Chacon, Arnold A; Chagnon, Natalie L;
Cohen, James A; Davidson, Lynne A; Deatherage, B. Todd; Dilworth, Alison E; D-NEA Duty;
Donovan, Jason A; Dunne, Charles W; Echeverria, Cynthia C; Elliott, Susan M; Erath, Tara
F; E Telegrams; Feeley, John D; Fitzsimmons, Elizabeth N; Fritz, Jonathan D; Fuhrer, Mary
Jo; Gisvold, Lisa C; Gunderson, Brian; Hambrick, Barbara K; Hardy, Elsie; Hayden, Caitlin
M; Horton, Brenda D; Irey, Kelley K; Jackson, Charlie G; Jackson, Charlie G; Jacobs,
orris E; Johnson, Jennifer L; Kilroy, Bernadette A; Krasner, Stephen D; Lacey, Edward J;
Levy, Philip I; Lineberry, Laura E (Liz); Lowenkron, Barry F; Manning, Robert A; Markey,
Daniel S; Martinez, Elizabeth L; Matera, Michael A; McCray, I Jean; McCray, I Jean; Meyer,
Susan M; Mills, Richard; Neumann, Virginia R; Oldham, Linda; oldham, Linda; Padilla,
Chris; PATH D; PATH P; PATH PA; PATH PAPLIGA; PATH SP; PATH SS; PATH SWO; PATK T;
~ellegrini,Keith A; Perez, Carol 2 ; Perina, Rudolf V; P-EUR Duty;
Plowden, Marisa L; P-WHA Duty; Rasamimanana, Jennifer L; Reynolds, I L ~PI;K O X E T L U I I ~
Craig L; Ruppe, Adele E; Schneider, Caroline M; SES-Line Officer2 TDY,; SES-Line Officer3
- . . TDY; SESO Telegrams; Smith, Robin A; Smith, Taiya M; Snyder, April C; Sokolsky, Richard D;
Spratlen, Pamela L ; SES-~ineAssistant TDY; SES-~ineOfficer TDY; TFI - Telegrams; TF2 -
Telegrams; TF-MGT - Telegrams; TF-PDPA - Telegrams; Tomlinson, Christina; Volker, Karen E;
Waller, Robert P; Ward, Celeste J; Watzlavick, Paul S; Welch, Gretchen G; Wicks, Daniel H;
wilkinson, James R; Winter, Roger P
Subject: TFUSOl: RESPONSE ON OFFER OF FORENSICS
SUBJECT: TFUSOl: RESPONSE ON OFFER OF FORENSICS
1. (SBU) This is an action request - - see para 3.
2. (SBU) This cable contains the official USG reaction to host Government assistance
offers for Hurricane Katrina in the form of forensics teams. Embassy should deliver the
points in para 3 at the highest appropriate level on Wednesday, September 14 or as soon as
possible.
3. (SBU) Talking points for use with host government:
- - Thank you again for your generous contribution to relief efforts.
- - The U.S. Government is extremely grateful for the generous offer of forensics .
assistance from the Government of host country in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
- - The situation on the ground is dynamic, and the U.S.
Government emergency response authorities continue to determine what is required most
urgently to meet the immediate needs of those suffering from the hurricane's impact.
- - We recognize the valuable experience of forensics teams in these circumstances, and
thank you for your extreme generosity. State and local governments initially feared the
death toll'from Katrina would exceed 10,000.
Happily, that has not come to pass and a reassessment was done reducing the need for these
services. Upon consultation with USG emergency management officials, we do not have a
need at thi ime for s nn you have offered to send to the stricken areas. If
UNITED S T A ~ E &
D E P A R T ~ ~s %~ AP~ $~ ~
REVIEW AUTHORITY: FRANK TUMMINIA 1
DATEICASE ID: 14 SEP 2006 200503991
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
that situation changes, we will contact you as soon as possible.
- - The USG has received an outpouring of support from many nations and international
organizations. On behalf the United States Government, .and all Americans, I want to
express heartfelt appreciation for your assistance and expressions of concern in this
difficult time.
End points.
RICE
UNCLASSIFIED
Additional Addresees:
AMEMBASSY SARAJEVO IMMEDIATE
AMEMBASSY PRAGUE IMMEDIATE
AMEMBASSY COPENHAGEN IMMEDIATE
AMEMBASSY SAN SALVADOR IMMEDIATE
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AMEMBASSY THE HAGUE IMMEDIATE
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-PAGE 01 STATE 169098 1407022
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ORIGIN SS-00
INFO LOG-00 NP-00 AF-00 AID-00 A-00 CA-00 CIAE-00
DNI-00 DODE-00 WHA-00 DS,-00 EAP-00 EUR-00 UTED-00
FEMA-01 FOE-00 H-00 TEDE-00 INR-00 L-00 NSAE-00
OCS-00 IRM-00 SSO-00 ASDS-00 FMP-00 DSCC-00 G-00
ALM-00 SAS-00 SWCI-00 /001R
169098
SOURCE: DISKETTE.042974
DRAFTED BY: TFUSOI: DMCCARTHY - - 09/14/05 7-6611 APPROVED BY: TFUSO1: TNAVRATIL
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TSTITT, L:JTHEXSSEN, P:DBAME, WHA: JBENSON, EUR: ANORMAN
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TO AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS IMMEDIATE
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2
UNCLASSIFIED
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AMEMBASSY OTTAWA IMMEDIATE
UNCLAS STATE 169098
SENSITIVE
E.O. 1 2 9 5 8 : N/A
TAGS : AEMR, ASEC, AMGT, CASC, PREL, US
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
RELEASE IN FULL
M PRESS GUIDANCE
October 26,2005
Transfer to FEMA of Foreign Cash Donations for Hurricane Katrina Relief
State has transferred $66 million in foreign financial donations to FEMA to .

fund case management services for Hurricane Katrina victims.
We want to thank the foreign donors whose contributions will directly help
Katrina victims.
Department acted a primary link between USG and foreign governments for
Katrina response and recovery. That included working closely with foreign
donors in collecting monetary assistance.
Refer to DHSLFEMA for details on the case management program, but our
understanding is this will help identify and address victims' 'needs that cannot
be addressed by other programs.
If asked re: plans for remaining foreign donations?
We are working with our interagency partners to evaluate a number of

options to determine the best possible use of the remaining funds.
Want to ensure maximum amount of assistance goes directly to those in
need.
If asked re: efforts to secure balance of foreign funds pledged but not yet
donated?
Deeply appreciate all the pledges made by foreign governments to assist those
impacted by Katrina.
Each donor government has its own process for releasing its donation; process
may take some time.
Given the vast and unique circumstances of this disaster, the recovery process
will be lengthy, and there will be no shortage of potential uses for the foreign
assistance when it arrives.
We remain in contact with donor governments.
Once donations are received, every effort will be made to expedite the .
delivery of assistance to those who need it.

-- .. - UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
Background: FEMA is issuing a release this afternoon announcing its case management
program for Hurricane Katrina victims and that $66 million to finance the program came from
foreign donations and was transferred to FEMA by the Department.
We have concluded an MOU with DHS to ensure FEMA will use the finds transparently
and with accountability to State and to foreign donors. .
The total pledged by foreign governments and parties thus far is $854.4 million. Only $120.2
million of this total (including $1 17.9 million from foreign governments) has been received by
the Department thus far.
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
Drafted: MIP: DWertman, x7-2554
Cleared:
M - LDent - ok
RM - CScalzo - ok
S-ES - 0 - JBass - ok
S-ES - HThomas - ok
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- .
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RELEASED IN FULL
00453
The Department of State created a 24-hour Task Force in order to
manage the international offers of assistance and assist foreign
diplomatic representatives in their efforts to make contact with foreign
citizens affected by the hurricane.
The Depaxtment has consistently engaged local authorities to provide

assistance to foreign nationals affected by the hurricane. Consular
access has still not been granted to New Orleans. As a result, foreign
diplomatic representatives have been unable to provide timely and
needed access to their citizens affected by the hurricane.
The State Department Task Force has worked to reconcile names of

missing foreign nationals. Based on information received from
foreign consular officers, 1,384 foreign nationals currently remain
missing, down from 2,200. The International Committee of the Red
Cross is providing a web-based specialized whereabouts tracing
system.
The State Department has conducted regular briefings for the

diplomatic community in Washington to keep them informed of the
recovery and relief efforts. In addition, State officials are holding
daily briefings for foreibn consular officials at the Houston
Astrodome. We are advising any displaced foreign citizens to register
with their embassy or consular office as soon as possible.
State Department Diplomatic Security personnel visited seven

consulates located in the New Orleans World Trade Center, and their
exterior entrances appear intact. However, they were unable to access
the French or Japanese consulates that remain surrounded by water.
The Department is forward deploying a team to join the interagency

Joint Field Office in Baton Rouge, Louisiana to coordinate federal
efforts in the region. We already have people in the area and are
building out our presence. Former Ambassador Joseph Sullivan will
head State Department - South operations. We already have
Diplomatic Security and Consular Affairs personnel and are adding
additional Political-Military and other experts to the mission. The
team will also support USAIDIOFDA assessment and coordination
teams deploying to support NORTHCOM. state also plans to

DATEJCASE ID: 04 OCT 2006 200503991
- .. UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
participate in the Satellite Joint Field Office that will be established in

New Orleans over the next 24-48 hours.
The Department continues to receive very generous international

offers of assistance to the Hurricane Katrina relief effort. A total of
93 foreign countries and international organizations have offered
assistance. In addition to significant shipments by Canada and the
United Kingdom, three German flights and one Italian flight have
arrived containing shipments of MREs and equipment. An Israeli
flight will be en route September 6 containing tents, first aid kits, and
baby formula.
State is supporting DHSREMA by coordinating international offers of

assistance. The international response to the initial FEMA list of
requirements has been overwhelming. The Department is currently
managing assistance flows to ensure efficient distribution. With the
growing military presence in the region, State is ready to work with
and support NORTHCOM as it identifies specific needs and
requirements. Just as we did during the tsunami, State is ready to
work hand-in- glove with the DOD Commander to coordinate the
international component.
UNCLASSIFIED
uNC12ASSIFIED
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED
Other Pending items include

o Task Force must clarify whether a diplomatic note is required
acknowledge acceptance of a $100,000 donation fi-om Togo. Query sent
to Togo desk.
o Policy clarification was requested from WHA/MEX.concerning the offer
of firemen from Mexico.
o Task Force requested confirmation fiom desk officers of the status of
offers of assistance fiom Brazil, Guyana, and Trinidad and Tobago.
o Task Force requested that the Senegal desk officer provide a copy of the
Diplomatic Note from Senegal offering $100,000.
o Task Force requested clarification form the desk officer on the
disposition of the forensic team from haila and.
o Awaiting guidance on next steps in dealing with donation by Saudi
Arabia NGO which ConGen Jeddah accepted.
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED

UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
RELEASED IN FULL
aw
Press Points: State Department Action Regarding ~urricaneKatrina
0 Quick facts: 95 countries have offered assistance or cash donations.

o Close to $1 billion in cash.
o In-kind ranges from the basics of food and clothing to high-
volume pumps and generators.
o I 1 relief flights already landed in U.S. (Little Rock AFB).
More scheduled.
o Flight ops will depend on specific needs assessments, calls.
from field. Don't want relief sitting on tarmacs where it can't
help the victims.
State role: stepped up immediately. Normally we support and defend

American citizens overseas. Rare opportunity to do so at home.
Volunteer response from around State, USAID overwhelming.
Three missions:
1. coordinate international assistance, specialized expertise offers;
2. clearinghouse for embassies searching for their missing citizens;
3. take care of our employees, retirees in affected area
On Tuesday, Aug 30, State volunteered to assume from FEMA

coordination of international assistance offers, welfarelwhereabouts
for foreign nationals.
International Assistance
Footprint quickly mushroomed as magnitude of crisis, outpouring of

international support increased:
o Infomal group from crisis management
, o Full-blown task force on Fri Sept. 1
o 24/7 ops by Sunday Sept. 3
o Complementary 24/7 task force by USAIDlOFDA to manage
increasingly complicated logistical/staging demands
Offers of foreign assistance have grown exponentially: '

8/3 1 5 countries
9/ 1 24 countries
912 45 countries

DATEICASE ID: 06 OCT 2006 200503991 UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
9/3 60 countries
9/5 85 countries
9/6 95 countries
We now have over 240 separate offers of assistance fiom 95 countries

on hand.
OFDA increasingly integrated with FEMA, DoD Northern Command

elements to ensure best match of offers to needs. Long OFDA history
of working with military - most dramatic example Tsunami relief
Foreign MissionsNlrnexeabouts
State organized briefings for Washington dip corps (Wed, Aug 3 1;

Fri, Sept 1; Tue, Sept 6) and consulates/field teams' at the Astrodome.
Have reduced initial 2200 welfare and whereabouts inquiries to less

than 900. Not comprehensive ID of missing foreigners - only what
has been reported to us from foreign missions.
Field Support for DHS and Relief Ops
The Department has forward deployed 70 personnel to "State

Department -South." Three missions:
1 , support the Joint Interagency Task Force in Baton Rouge
2. secure our facilities and foreign consulates
3 . work with federal, state, and Iocal authorities.
OFDA has over 50 personnel in the field supporting FEMA and

Northern Command in assessing needs and coordinating relief flow.
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
RELEASE
If asked Points on the MREs
(Feb., 2006)
- The United States deeply appreciated the support it received from the
international community in the aftermath of hurricane Katrina.
- That support included over 400,000 emergency rations from a number of different
nations.
- Not all of those rations were utiIized during the relief operations. Many were
determined, after their arrival in the U.S., to include meat products that did not
meet USDA import requirements. Demand for the rations also declined as relief
operations began to provide hot meals and were able to draw on additional stocks
of domestic emergency rations.
- Those rations that we did not utilize were set aside and stored in Little Rock,
Arkansas pending identification of other recipients for them.
- In the intervening months, the U.S. government canvassed a range of foreign
governments, international organizations and non-governmental organizations to
ensure the rations could be used effectively.
- Several international organizations and NGOs indicated they could incorporate
the rations into their operations and feeding programs.
- The U.S. government concluded arrangements with several of these organizations
and has already transferred the majority of the rations to those groups for their
use.
- We expect to transfer the balance of the rations to these groups in the next 30
days.
If asked:
Does the USG believe these MREs are safe for conslimption in the third countries
that have received them?
-- AH of the organizations selected assured us the rations would be utilized only in
countries whose laws and regulations allowed their importation and consumption. We
are satisfied with the assurances we received from these organizations.
Why not just give the unused MREs back to the donors?
-- Donor governments indicated they did not wish to have the rations returned. We have
consulted with donor governments concerning our plans to ensure the rations were
utilized.

UNCLASSIFIED
RELEASE
Status of German Relief for Hurricane Katrina
Points
Thanks for enormous outpouring of support
. Dynamic situation on the ground; needs assessments evolving; so is
domestic response
Case in ~ o i n tforensics.
: Situation changed since Interior Minister
Schilly/DHS See Chertoff call. Local authorities currently believe
they have sufficient resources to manage the forensic demands. May
change; if so, wd will be back in touch.
Grateful for assistance we have accepted. High-volume pumps will
be enormously helpfbl in coming weeks.
Facts
Accepted
10 high-speed pumps & corresponding personnel
85,000 MREs were delivered to Pensacola
Pending
85,000 MREs are pending airlift fi-om Germany
DHS Sec'y Chertoff orally accepted offer of forensic experts; HHS
subsequently indicated domestic resources would be sufficient
German Offers:
170,000 MREs
2 dozen forensic experts
Transportation and Water Pumps w/personnel
Blankets, beds, pillows, tents, crutches, mattresses, wheelchairs,
water trucks
Firefighting rescue team with equipment
A3 10 hospital plane, hospital ship, water purification system
* Satellite telecommunications system
Medical assistance & supplies
Search & Rescue
Police Assistance
Destruction clean-up
Charity events to raise funds

UNCLASSIFIED
Private offer of $1 million

Technical AssessmentTearns, drinking water supply, & pumping
equipment
Flood emergency personnel
Flyaway communications hub
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
RELEASED IN FULL
Q: How did the State Department become involved in the foreign cash
and material donations process?
A: Under the National Response Plan, the Department of State "acts as the
intermediary for foreign offers of assistance to the U.S. Government" and
works with other agencies to respond to such requests and expedite delivery
of assistance. In furtherance of this role, the State Department sought to
ensure that any foreign cash donations received were properly accounted for
and turned over to entities that could utilize the donations in support of the
Hurricane recovery effort.
Q: What is the Department's response to the GAO findings on the

handling of international assistance?
.
A: The recommendations contained in GAO's draft report on international
assistance for Hurricane Katrina are helpful, and we are considering
With respect to GAO's recommendations on maintaining foreign cash .

donations in an interest bearing account, we are examining this.
recommendation, along with other agencies, including DHS, Treasury,
and OMB.
Q: Why were the funds deposited in a ''no interests' account?
A: Absent specific statutory authority, finds held in the United States

Treasury do not ordinarily accumulate interest.
* After consultation with the Department of Treasury and OMB, it was

determined that foreign cash donations would temporarily be held in a
State Department deposit account in the Treasury, pending
determination of where funds should ultimately be routed. The
Department of State acted as custodian of these funds while they were
held in this deposit account, but did not accept them under State
Department gift authorities. It was determined that the donations in this
account could not earn interest.

DATEJCASEID: 12 OCT 2006 200503991 UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
Q: If asked, what was the decision process involved in determining how

to distribute financial contributions?
A: In a September 15th Principal's Meeting, the Department of State agreed

to take the lead in developing options on how to utilize foreign
government donations. Options were discussed within the framework of
an NSC-convened working group, which sought to identify options that
would best support the recovery effort while making sure there was a
tangible result evident to our international donors.
Two critical projects have been funded as a result of foreign donations:

$66,000,000.00 was transferred to the DHS- FEMA case management
project to assist up to 100,000 households affected by Katrina; and
$60,444,249.93 was transferred to the Department of Education to
rebuild schools in the area damaged by ,HurricaneKatrina.
A: With respect to donations that may be still received for Hurricane

Katrina, we have informed the office of Chairman Powell that that there
is a possibility that sizable donations may still be made.
With respect to donations that may be received after future catastrophic

disasters, an interagency group is currently developing policies and
procedures that will ensure that such donations are dispersed efficiently
and effectively.
In the context of an interagency review, we are considering, among

other things, whether the USG should seek additional authority to place
cash donations received after a catastrophic disaster in an interest
bearing account pending their distribution.
Q. Who decided to ask for and accept foreign emergency rations

(MREs)? Why wasn't this coordinated with FDA and USDA?
What were the procedures used to accept and store MREs?
A. The United States deeply appreciated the support it received from the
international community in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. '
Immediately following the hurricane, the Department of State conveyed

to the international community our need for up to 500,000 MREs, based
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
'on a list generated by FEMA of specific categories of assistance

identified as priority needs. This pre-approved list allowed us to
expeditiously accept and receive appropriate donations.
. Although not engaged early in the acceptance process, CBP officials

working with OFDA at Little Rock AFB flagged the issue of regulatory
inspections. USDA then provided inspectors on an expedited basis to
ensure the admissibility of any food stocks.
Upon their arrival at Little Rock AFB, MREs were transported to an

OFDA-contracted warehouse in Little ~ o c k :MREs passing USDA
inspection were then being transferred to FEMA. Those rations that
were determined to include meat products that did not meet USDA
import requirements were set aside and stored at the warehouse pending
identification of other recipients for them.
latory agencies (USDA, FDA,

s? How were their concerns
A: Soon after the arrival of the first MREs on September 5,2005, DHS and
USDA moved to ensure a viable inspection process was established.
MREs and other controlled items were not allowed to depart the
warehouse without proper inspection. Once approved by the
responsible inspection agency, the items were eligible for FEMA's use
and could depart the warehouse. This process ensured that some 25,000
vegetarian MREs safely entered the distribution system.
Q: Did any non-inspected MREs enter FEMASssupply chain?
A: It is the Department's understanding that only USDA-approved MREs

were transferred to FEMA. We are aware of one MRE shipment that
was released from, and then recalled to, the warehouse over possible
concerns that the rations were not properly inspected, but these meals
did not enter the supply chain.
Q: Why did you keep the inadmissible MREs for six'months (and
spend $80,000+ to do so)? Why didn't you just burn them of bury
them in a landfill?
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
A: The best course of action was to identie a useful end use for the food.
In deciding to continue to store the MREs in the warehouse, the USG
considered the above desire and the very high costs to destroy/dispose
, of the MREs (estimated at $600,000 for the destruction of 210,000
MREs) versus the cost of covering warehouse lease costs. The State
Dept. canvassed a range of foreign governments, international
organizations and non-governmental organizitions to ensure the rations
could be used effectively. Several international organizations and
NGOs indicated they could incorporate the rations into their operations
and feeding programs. The USG concluded arrangements with several
of these organizations and transferred the rations to those groups for
their use. This arrangement was done with the full concurrence of the
donating nations.
Regarding the $80,000 in storage fees. According to USAID, the cost
of the warehouse lease from early September, 2005 through March 3 1,
006 is $83,000. The warehouse was used by USAID to store 0th
foreign donations received for Hurricane Katrina prior to their onward
distribution, so the $83,000 is not fblly attributable to storage of the
MREs.
;
Q: How will the Department handle these offers in the future?
A: As part of HSC's lessons learned review, the Department is working

with USAID's Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance, DHS-FEMA,
Treasury and other agencies to propose guidelines and standard
operating procedures that are being developed to handle both material
and cash assistance that would be received in the event of a future
domestic disaster:
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
S/ES-0 Press Guidance

4/7/06 .
PRESS GUIDANCE IN RESPONSE TO MSNBC'S ARTICLE
Q: THE RECENTLY ISSUED GAO REPORT STATES THAT

. BUREAUCRATIC ENTANGLEMENTS CAUSED THE LOSS OF
MONEY AND OTHER DONATIONS FROM ABROAD, AND
PREVENTED ASSISTANCE FROM REACHING VICTIMS IN A
TIMELY MANNER. WHY WAS THE ACCEPTANCE OF AID SO
SLOW?
A:
IN ADDITION TO THE M CE THAT WAS
UP TO 100,000 HOUSEHOLDS AFFECTED BY KATRINA; I
0 $60 MILLION WAS TRANSFERRED TO THE

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO REBUILD SCHOOLS
IN AREAS DAMAGED BY HURRlCANE KATRINA.
I
WE DECIDED TO USE THESE FUNDS TO ADDRESS NEEDS THAT
WOULD NOT BE MET THROUGH OTHER RESOURCES. IT TOOK
SOME TIME TO IDENTIFY FUNDING GAPS AND TARGET
DONATIONS .TO ADDRESS THEM.
ALTHOUGH .OUR EFFORTS QUICKLY TO PROCESS THE LARGE

i
NUMBER OF ASSISTANCE OFFERS FROM ABROAD WERE
IMPERFECT, AS NOTED IN THE GAO REPORT, THE PROCEDURES
WE ESTABLISHED SUCCESSFULLY ENSURED THAT ASSISTANCE
FROM 122 COUNTRIES AND INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
. QUICKLY REACHED AMERICANS IN DIRE NEED IN THE AREAS
RAVAGED BY HURRICANE KATRINA. WE AGAIN EXPRESS OUR
SINCERE GRATITUDE TO THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY
FOR THE GENEROUS ASSISTANCE PROVIDED TO THE AMERICAN
PEOPLE IN OUR TIME OF NEED.

DATEICASE ID: 10 OCT 2006 200~03991 UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
Q: .WHY WERE THE DONATED FUNDS DEPOSITED IN A "NO

INTEREST" ACCOUNT COSTING $1 MILLION IN INTEREST
EARNINGS?
A:
ABSENT SPECIFIC STATUTORY AUTHORITY, FUNDS HELD IN
THE UNITED STATES TREASURY ORDINARILY DO NOT
ACCUMULATE INTEREST BECAUSE AS SUCH INTEREST WOULD
COME AT U.S. TAXPAYER EXPENSE.
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
IF ASKED:
. Q. WHO DECIDED TO ASK FOR AND ACCEPT FOREIGN

EM%RGENCY RATIONS (MRIES)? WHY WASN'T THIS
COORDINATED WITH FDA AND USDA? WHAT WERJX THE
PROCEDURES USED TO ACCEPT AND STORE MRES? WHERE
ARE THEY NOW?
A.
THE US GOVERNMENT HAD IDENTIFIED EMERGENCY RATIONS
AS AN IMMEDIATE NEED IN THE AFTERMATH OF HURRICANE
KATRDIA. IT WAS IN THE SPIRIT OF TRYING TO GET FOOD TO
THOSE IN NEED THAT THE RATIONS WERE RUSHED TO THE
UNITED STATES FROM THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY.
THAT SUPPORT INCLUDED SOME 400,000 EMERGENCY RATIONS
FROM A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT NATIONS. ,
UNFORTUNATELY, AFTER THEIR ARRIVAL IN THE U.S. MOST
DONATED RATIONS WERE DETERMINED TO INCLUDE MEAT
PRODUCTS THAT DID NOT MEET USDA IMPORT REQUIREMENTS.
AT THE SAME TIME, DEMAND FOR THE RATIONS ALSO
DECLINED, AND RELIEF OPERATIONS PROVIDED HOT MEALS
AND DREW FROM U.S. EMERGENCY RATIONS.
UNUSED DONATED RATIONS WERE STORED PENDING
IDENTIFICATION OF OTHER RECIPIENTS. THE U.S. CANVASSED
A RANGE OF FOREIGN GOVERNMENTS, INTERNATIONAL
ORGANIZATIONS AND NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS
TO ENSURE THE RATIONS COULD BE USED EFFECTIVELY
OUTSIDE THE U.S.
SEVERAL INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS AND NGOS
INDICATED THEY COULD INCORPORATE THE RATIONS INTO
THEIR OPERATIONS AND FEEDING PROGRAMS IN SPECIFIC
COUNTRIES. THE U.S. PROVIDED THESE RATIONS TO SEVERAL
ORGANIZATIONS, AND NOW HAS TRANSFERRED ALL UNUSED
RATIONS TO THOSE GROUPS.
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
Q: DID THE PERSIAN GULF STATES FULFILL THEIR PLEDGES?
A:
WHEN HURRICANE KATNNA STRUCK, AMERICA'S FRIENDS IN
THE PERSIAN GULF MADE GENEROUS, UNSOLICITED PLEDGES
OF ASSISTANCE.
KUWAIT PLEDGED $500 MILLION.

0 $50 MILLION IS AWAITING A KUWAITI DECISION ON
RECIPIENT.
0 DISBURSEMENT OF THE REMAINING $400 MILLION
RIEQUIRES PARLIAMENTARY APPROVAL, WHICH IS IN
PROCESS.
SAUDI A W I A IS DISTRIBUTING ITS PLEDGE DIRECTLY TO THE

W E S T - H I T STATES. SOME OF THE FUNDS ARE BEING USED
TO PROVIDE IN-KND ASSISTANCE (PRIMARILY
CONSTRUCTIONElOME REBUILDING SUPPLIES, PURCHASED J N
THE U.S.).
THE EMBASSY OF QATAR IN WASHINGTON IS OVERSEEING

DISBURSEMENT OF THE GOQ'S $100 MILLION PLEDGE. AN
EMBASSY-ORGANIZED COMMITTEE1 IS SELECTING PROJECTS;
THE EMBASSY STATED IN APRIL 2006 THAT IT WOULD BEGIN TO
DISBURSE.MONEY TO APPROVED PROJECTS "VERY SOON."
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
GENERAL:
HURRICANE KATRINA WAS A DISASTER OF UNPRECEDENTED
MAGNITUDE. THE OUTPOURING OF ASSISTANCE OFFERED TO
THE AMERICAN PEOPLE FROM AROUND THE WORLD WAS ALSO
UNPRECEDENTED, AND DEMONSTRATED THE STRONG SUPPORT
THE UNITED STATES AND AMERICAN PEOPLE HAVE AROUND *
THE WORLD. \
THE STATE DEPARTMENT WORKED QUICKLY WITH FEMA,

USAID'S OFFICE OF FOREIGN DISASTER ASSISTANCE
(USAII)/OFDA), AND OTHER INTERAGENCY PARTNERS TO SET UP
PROCEDURES FOR HANDLING THE HUGE VOLUME OF
ASSISTANCE OFFERS FROM THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY.
THE STATE DEPARTMENTAND OUR INTERAGENCY PARTNERS
HAVE LEARNED VALUABLE LESSONS FROM THE HURRICANE
KATRINA DISASTER. AS PART OF THE HOMELAND SECURITY
COUNCIL'S LESSONS LEARNED REVIEW, WE ARE WORKING
WITH THE 1NTERAGENC.YTO CREATE STANDARD PROCEDURES
TO MANAGE FOREIGN MATERIAL AND CASH ASSISTANCE
OFFERS QUICKLY AND EFFECTIVELY IN THE EVENT OF A
FUTURE DOMESTIC DISASTER.
- THIS WORK IS ON TARGET TO MEET THE JUNE 2006 DEADLINE
GIVEN BY THE HOMELAND SECURITY COUNCIL.
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
Drafted by: SIES-EWO-CMS: Nazima H. Razick, 7-9574
Approved by: SIES-0: JOHN BASS OK
Cleared by: SIES-0: MMORROW OK

S/ES-0-CMS: DMCCARTHY OK
L: RVISEK OK
RM: DBORDLEY OK
M: RCPASCHALL OK
NEA: SFOX OK
WHA: FCORNEILLE OK
EUR/PGI:ANORMAN OK
P:DBAME INFO
D:RMILLS OK
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
RELEASED IN FULL
Q&A for Testimony before House of Representatives Committee on
Government Reform, Chaired by Tom Davis
Financia1 Contributions:
I. How much money was pledged and how much was received?
As of April 3, USG has received $126,452 636.45.
Pending amounts, pledged but not yet received:
Approximately $10,000,000.00 million from private Japanese firms

$400,000,000.00 fi-om Kuwait, proceeds of sales from oil products.
$100,000,000.00 from Qatar
$100,000,000.00 fi-om Saudi Arabia
$2,000,000.00 fi-om Taiwan
UNITED STATES DEPARTR'LENT OF STATE

REVIEW 'AUTHORITY: FRANK TUMMINIA
UNCLASSIFIED
2. Were any contributions returned/declined? Why?
To our knowledge, no financial contributions received from sources that

were vetted by our Posts to be legitimate donors were declined or returned.
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
3. Were there any obstacles or delays in disbursing funds? If so, why?
To our knowledge, there were no obstacles or delays in disbursing funds.
For example, on 10/20/05, $66,000,000.00 was transferred to the DHS =

FEMA Recovery Efforts.
On 3/17/06, $60,444,249.93 was transferred to the Department of Education

after a thorough review of proposals on how best to utilize funds to assist
with recovery efforts in primary, secondary, and higher educational
institutions.
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
Foreign Material Assistance:
4. How will the Department handle these offers in the future?
The Department is working with USAID's Office of Foreign Disaster

Assistance, DHS-FEMA, Treasury and other agencies to propose guidelines
and standard operating procedures that are being developed to handle both
material and cash assistance that would be received in the event of a future
domestic disaster.
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
RELEASED
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
FOR CONGRESSIONAL HEARING ON
INTERNATIONAL ASSISTANCE FOR HURRICANE KATRINA
*
April 6,2006
Financial Assistance:
Q: What authorities did the Department haveluse to accept financial

contributions?
A:
Under the National Response Plan, the Department of State "acts as the
intermediary for foreign offers of assistance to the U.S. ~ o v e m e n t " ' a n d
works with other agencies to respond to such requests and expedite
delivery of assistance. In furtherance of this role, the State Department
sought to ensure that any foreign cash donations received were properly
accounted for and 'turned over to entities that could utilize the donations
in support of the Hurricane recovery effort.
After consultation with the Department of the Treasury; it was

determined that foreign cash donations would temporarily be held in a
State Department deposit account in the Treasury, pending determination
of where funds should ultimately be routed. The Department of State
acted as custodian of these h d s while they were held in this deposit
account, but did not accept them under State Department gift authorities.
The State Department then worked closely with the interagency

community to explore options that would best support the recovery
effort. All donations received as of March 17 .have been transferred to
FEMA and the Department of Education. Both agencies have statutory
authority to accept monetary gifts.
The State Department encouraged direct donations to private charitable

groups invoIved in hurricane relief assistance.

UNCLASSIFIED
Q: What was the decision process involved in how DOS accepted '
financial contributions?
A:
Given its role under the National Response Plan, the State Department
acted as the intermediary for foreign donations made to the Hurricane
relief and recovery effort.
Offers of financial contributions were'vetted within the State Department

and, where appropriate, with Treasury to determine whether any
sanctions imposed on foreign countries would prevent acceptance of that
government's offer of assistance.
Q: If asked, what was the decision process involved in determining how

to distribute financial contributions?
A:
In a September 15th Principal's Meeting, the Department of State agreed'
to take the lead in developing options on how to utilize foreign
government donations.
Options were discussed within the framework of an NSC-convened

working group, which sought to identify options that would best.support
the recovery effort while making sure there was a tangible result evident
to our international donors.
Two critical projects have been fimded as a result of foreign donations:

$66,000,000.00 was transferred to the DHS- FEMA case management
project to assist up to 100,000 households affected by Katrina; and
$60,444,249.93 was transferred to the Department of Education to
rebuild schools in the area damaged by Hurricane Katrina.
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
Q: How much money was pledged and how much was received?
A: Pledges of financial assistance are estimated to be over $700 million

dollars, not including donations made directly to private relief
organizations. As of April 3,2006, USC has received $126,452,636.45.
A number of countries' pledges have not been received.
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
Q: Why is there,such a discrepancy between the pledges and the

amount received?
A:
Donors may have decided to redirect donations after the earthquake in
Pakistan or may still be seeking approval required under local law to
make the donation.
Some pIedges may have been fulfilled in a different amount. Again,

donors may have redirected donations to other areas or decided to
make donations directly to non-governmental organizations
responding to Hurricane Katrina.
The State Department encouraged direct donations to private

charitable groups involved in hurricane relief assistance.
The state Department has focused on expressing gratitude for the e
outpouring of support shown by the international community rather

than requesting donors to fulfill their pledges in the full amount.
The State Department has been able to account for and track all
foreign cash donations made through the U.S. Government.
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
Q: Were any contributions returned/declined? Why?

'
A: To our knowledge, no financial contributions received Erom sources that

were vetted by our Embassies overseas to be lkgitirnate donors were
declined or returned.
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
Q: Were there any obstacles or delays in disbursing funds? If so, why?
A: To our knowledge, there were no obstacles or delays in disbursing funds.

For example, $66,000,000.00 was transferred to the DHS- FEMA
Recovery Efforts. $60,444,249.93 was transferred to the Department of
Education after a thorough review of proposals on how best to utilize
funds to assist with recovery efforts in primary, secondary, and higher
educational institutions.
UNCLASSIFIED
.-
UNCLASSIFIED
Q: How were the collected funds disbursed?
A:
The funds were disbursed in two tranches following interagency
approval. On October 20,2005, the State Department transferred $66
million in international cash donations to FEMA for a case
management program to assist up to 100,000 households affected by
Katrina. The case managers will determine the long-term needs of
Katrina survivors and assist in referring them to appropriate
assistance. Case managers are being trained weekly and are working
in thirty states.
On March 17, 2006, the State Department transferred the remaining

$60.4 million in foreign donations to the Department of Education to
rebuild educational institutions damaged by Katrina. The h d s will
support reconstruction and recovery efforts for both K- 12 and higher
education institutions and help restock books and replenish equipment
for libraries throughout the affected Gulf region.
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
Q: Why were the funds deposited in a "no interest" account?
A:
Absent specific statutory authority, h d s held in the United States
Treasury do not ordinarily accumulate interest.
Treasury and OMB agreed that a State Department deposit account

was the appropriate account to hold foreign cash donations until the
ultimate recipient of the donations could be identified. It was
determined that the donations in this account could not earn interest..
In the context of an interagency review, we are considering, among

other things, whether the USG should seek additional authority to
place cash donations received after a catastrophic disaster in an
interest bearing account pending their distribution.
Q: If asked, why didn't foreign cash donations go directly to FEMA?
A:
' The interagency reviewed a number of proposals for use of the
cash among which were FEMA proposals.
$66 million was transferred to FEMA to help those affected by the

Hurricane through a case management program approximately two
weeks after FEMA's written proposal to fund this project.
The interagency then determined to put the balance of the h d s into

tangible reconstruction efforts. Proposals were solicited from FEMA
and other organizations.
Until there was interagency consensus on the 'specific uses of foreign

donations, the donations remained in a deposit account to ensure
maximum flexibility in using the donations for an effective purpose.
Placing all foreign donations directly in FEMA's gift account would

have limited the US ~ovemmen't'sability to direct these donations to
critical recovery projects not undertaken by FEMA.
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
Q: If asked, why were other FEMA projects were not funded?
A: FEMA's October 6 proposal for a case management initiative was knded

so that donations could be immediately utilized to assist individuals
impacted by the Hurricane. It was decided to seek "place-based"
recovery projects, such as levy repair and the rebuilding of damaged
schools, for the balance of the donations.
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
Q: Will the Department follow-up with entities that have yet to fulfill
their pledge?
A: The GCC states were among the first countries to respond to the
residents of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama in their time of
need.
Given other disasters that have taken place such as the Pakistan
earthquake and in recognition that we are a wealthy nation, we are not
pressing these governments to hlfill their pledges.
' Q: Did the Gulf States fulfill their pledges?

I
A:
When Hurricane Katrina struck, America's friends in the Gulf made
generous, unsolicited pledges of assistance. We believe ,these pledges
were made in good faith.
Kuwait has pledged a total of $500 million. $50 million of this

amount is awaiting a GOK decision on recipient. Disbursement of the
remaining $400 million requires parliamentary approval, which is in
process.
Saudi Arabia has disbursedjis in the process of disbursing about half

of its $105 million pledge; disbursement of the remaining $55 million
is taking longer because the f h d s are being used to provide in-kind .
assistance (primarily construction/home rebuilding supplies,
purchased in the U.S.), which take longer to disburse than h d s .
The Embassy of Qatar in Washington is overseeing disbursement of

the GOQ's $100 million pledge. An Embassy-organized committee
of former USG officials is helping the Embassy to select projects; the
Embassy stated in April 2006 that it would begin to disburse money to
approved projects "very soon."
Background: The NEAIARP Katrina Matrix (not for distribution)

provides an overview of Gulf country pledges/ disbursements. The GCC
states pledged a total of $825 million. Of this pledged amount, $220
million has been disbursedis in the process of being disbursed.
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
Q: How will the Department addressldisperse future donations?
A:
With respect to donations that may be still received for Hurricane
Katrina, we have informed the office of Chairman Powell that that
there is a possibility that sizable donations may still be made.
With respect to donations that may be received after firture

catastrophic disasters, an interagency group is currently developing
policies and procedures that will ensure that such donations are
dispersed efficiently and effectively.
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
Q: What is the Department's response to the GAO findings on the

handling of international assistance?
A:
The recommendations contained in GAO's draft report on
international assistance for Hurricane Katrina are helpful, and we are
considering such recommendations through the ongoing review
process led by the Homeland Security Council.
We expect to have policies and procedures on the handling of

international assistance in place by June 30,2006.
With respect to GAO's recommendations on maintaining foreign cash

donations in an interest bearing account, we are examining this
recommendation, along with other agencies, including DHS,
Treasury, and OMB.
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
Foreign Material Assistance
Q: What authorities were used to accept/deny offers of [material]

assistance?
A:
As provided in the National Response Plan, the State Department acted
as the intermediary for foreign offers of assistance to the U.S.
Government and worked with.FEMA and other agencies to respond to
such requests and expedite delivery of assistance.
Offers of assistance were only accepted after an agency with authority to

accept the assistance had requested, or agreed to receive, the assistance.
The State Department developed procedures with FEMA and USAID to
quickly review offers of assistance to ensure that such assistance could be
utilized if accepted.
Q: What procedures were used to accept or decline offers of assistance?
A:
Immediately after Hurricane Katrina's landfall on August 29, State
volunteered to receive and coordinate international offers of assistance.
State developed a matrix to track the offers to ensure both efficient
information flow to FEMA and other U.S. government agencies as well
as to provide coordinated feedback to foreign governments.
State's Katrina Task Force catalogued and forwarded offers to FEMA

and OFDA. USAID/OFDA volunteered to help FEMA with initial
vetting and coordinate technical discussions with donor country experts
on specific offers. USAID's Katrina Operations Center matched
international offers to requirements and needs on the ground identified by
FEMA and Northcorn.
If pressed:
Q: Isn'tit true FEMA9sposition was to refuse to accept international

assistance (on grounds of there being no ('need" - i.e. no ability to
procure needed resources within the U.S.), but that State compelled
FEMA to accept some international offers for politicaVdiplomatic
reasons?
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
A: While it is true that the united States possesses vast resources, the
Administration decided early on to accept "in principle" all international
offers of assistance. It was then up to FEMA, the State Department,
USAID/OFDA (and others) to undertake the complex process of matching
international offers to the ever-changing needs and requirements on the .
ground.
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
Q: Which offers were declined? Why?
A: Of the 151 offers received, five were general offers that'did not
materialize or were canceled. We declined only 26 offers, generally
consisting of material and personnel that were no longer required given
changing needs on the ground.
. UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
Q:' What percentage of all offers was accepted?
A: 1,51 governments, political entities and international organizations made

offers. Of those, we accepted offers from I20 countries.
Q: 1f ~ s k e d :Why weren't more offers accepted?
A: Many of the declined offers were for food and medical items that did
not meet U.S. regulatory standards. Some offers of medical services
and emergency medical teams were also not accepted due to state-based
licensing requirements and other complications.
UNCLASSIFIED
-- -
UNCLASSIFIED
Q: Who decided to accept international offers of assistance in the first

place?
A: The Administration decided early on to accept "in principle" all offers of .

assistance fiom concerned 'governments and organizations around the
world. In response to this decision, Secretary Rice announced publicly
and through diplomatic channels our willingness to receive foreign
assistance. A procedure was developed among State, FEMA and
USAIDIOFDA to review and assess specific offers, and to coordinate
logistics for those we accepted. The Administration was grateful for
these generous offers fiom around the world to help alleviate the human
suffering caused by the destructive hurricane.
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
Q: Why did you take so long to respond to offers of assistance? We've

seen numerous cases in the press of assistance offers that were met
with silence (Swedish plane on runway for 4 days, Swiss plane filled
and unloaded, etc.)
A: We responded as quickly as possible to every offer after measuring it

against needs in the afflicted areas. Needs on the ground changed and
regulatory issues arose with some offers, such as medicines.
By September 3, State, FEMA and USAID/OFDA had developed a

method for handling foreign offers of assistance. The State Department
received the offers, FEMA made a determination on whether or not to
accept the offer based on need, and USAID coordinated logistics, In
cases where it was unclear if a given offer was needed, we provided,
through our embassies, an interim reply indicating we were assessing
the offer. Donors recognized this was a complex operation and
understood that certain items and services were needed immediately,
and others somewhat later in the recovery process.
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
Q: Wasn't all this foreign assistance just a distraction? Why did we

accept any of it? I'm told that FEMA field personnel believe the
time they spent assessing foreign offers distracted them from their I
real jobs of responding to the disaster. Isn't it true you put your
relationships with foreign governments ahead of the needs of the
American people?
A:
The scale of the disaster was such that we had an immediate use for
the assistance provided. The amount of foreign aid offered was
unprecedented and we are grateful for the outpouring of support fi-om
friends and allies around the globe. While we were sensitive to the
political aspects of rejecting foreign offers of assistance, our first
priority was ensuring that help reached the people affected by Katrina.
We focused on facilitating communication so that USAID and FEMA
could help people as swiftly as possible with the proffered donations.
Many of these offers were accepted within a few days. For example:
o Sweden had a C-130 loaded with a water purification system and
a cellular network in the U.S. within four days of acceptance.
o The Netherlands shipped 3 high capacity dewatering pumps and 9
discharge pipes to aid in removing the water from New Orleans six
days after acceptance.
o Germany provided 15 high-capacity water pumps and a
support team of 89 personnel who operated the pumps in New
Orleans and other affected areas. Furthermore, the German Air
Force airlifted 45 tons of food rations to Pensacola, FL for
distribution by FEMA. Germany released 3.6 million barrels of
crude oil from its national emergency reserves in coordination with
the International Energy Agency. G e m companies provided over
$5 million in cash donations and related reconstruction pledges.
* State and FEMA worked with USAID's Office of Foreign Disaster

Assistance (OFDA) to respond to the offers of foreign assistance.
OFDA took an a new domestic role as a result, researching offers of
assistance and coordinating with FEMA to ensure that specific offers
could meet Iocal needs before they were
.
accepted. Offers that did not
meet these needs were not accepted.
UNCLASSIFIED
.
..
UNCLASSIFIED
Q. What did '6acceptingall offers of international assistance in

principle" mean in practice?
A:
As stated publicly by the President, the Administration accepted all
offers of inte,mationalassistance in principle.
: Immediately following Hurricane Katrina's landfall, the State

Department offered to receive and coordinate international offers of
assistance in support of FEMA. .State tracked the offers to ensure
efficient information flow to FEMA, and provided coordinated
feedback to foreign governments. USAID/OFDA assisted FEMA
with initial vetting of offers, and coordinated technical discussions
with donor country experts on specific offers.
While FEMA worked with disaster management officials in the field

to identi& priority needs, State provided interim responses to foreign
governments. We thanked them for their generous offers and
informed them that the offers had been forwarded to disaster
management experts for assessment.
1
Once FEMA matched a domestic need to an international offer, State
accepted the offer on behalf of the USG. USAID/OFDA then
'
managed the logistical coordination via technical discussions with the
donor country. In addition, OFDA coordinated with FEMA and/or the
relevant state governments to facilitate delivery.
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
Q: What happened to Italy's Hurricane Katrina relief supplies?
First, on behalf of all Americans, let me thank the generous people of

Italy under Prime Minister Berlusconi who were among the very first
to offer and deliver help in response to this natural disaster. In
addition to contributions in-kind fiom the Government of Italy, we
understand the Italian people gave generously to relief organizations
such as the Red Cross to help those in need.
Immediately after the crisis, our allies in Italy offered to help. The
government waited until after FEMA determined specific needs for
items such as cots and pumps. Italy then quickly loaded a transport
plane with more than 4,000 Kg of cots, blankets, sheets, pumps,
rubber boats, and more. In addition, an emergency response medical
team accompanied this material to the U.S. with their own supply of
medicines in a separate aircraft.
If Pressed: Explain the GAO photograph of Italian medicines that

appear unfit for distribution.
A: All these items were delivered to the staging area in Little Rock. Afier
an assessment with emergency coordinators in Little Rock, the Italian
team completed the transfer of supplies to the U.S. and turned to Italy.
We understand that while most of the materials fit into the relief
supply chain, there were some questions about the medical supplies.
We understand these medical supplies were stored on the tarmac
because of insufficient covered storage space at Little Rock. Weather
took its toll and the materials became unusable and eventually they
were safely disposed of so a very small amount of medical supplies
did not enter into the relief supply chain. This was an extremely small
percentage of Italy's total contribution to the relief effort.
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
Q: What happened to the Greek ships?
A: In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, the Greek Government made the

generous offer to provide a cruise ship to help house victims
temporarily as well as to provide other humanitarian assistance.
The Department of State set up a task force shortly after the Hurricane
to manage foreign offers of assistance and liaise with other U.S.
Agencies to coordinate the distribution of foreign aid. After carehl
consideration through this interagency it was decided that the
Greek ship was not needed, and we informed the Greek Government.
Other Greek assistance was gladly accepted.
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
Meals Readv to Eat CMRE)
Q. Who decided to ask for and accept foreign emergency rations

REs)? Why wasn't this coordinated with F
What were the procedures used to accept and store
A. The United States deeply appreciated the support it received from the
international community in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
Immediately following the hurricane, the Department of State conveyed
to the international community our need for up to 500,000 MREs, based
on a list generated by FEMA of specific categories of assistance
identified as priority needs. This pre-approved list allowed us to
expeditiously accept and receive appropriate donations.
When an offer was matched with a need; the Department accepted the
donation on behalf of the USG and facilitated communications
between OFDA logisticians and the donor country's logisticians.
OFDA coordinated the arrival, transfer and delivery to the
commodities to FEMA.
Although not engaged early in the acceptance process, CBP officials

working with OFDA at Little Rock AFB flagged the issue of
regulatory inspections. USDA then provided inspectors on an
expedited basis to ensure the admissibility of any food stocks.
Upon their arrival at Little Rock AFB, MREs were transported to an

OFDA-contracted warehouse in Little Rock. MREs passing USDA
inspection were then being transferred to FEMA. Those rations that
were determined to include meat products that did not meet USDA
import requirements were set aside and stored at the warehouse
pending identification of other recipients for them.
The Department and OFDA then worked to ensure the unused

donations were put to good use in locations outside the U.S. On
March 30,2006, we completed the transfer of the unused MREs to
fiom the Little Rock warehouse to international organizations and
NGOs for shipment abroad.
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
Q: At what point did the regulatory agencies (USDA, FDA, CBP)

become aware of the MREs? How were their concerns addressed?
I A: Soon after the arrival of the first MREs,on September 5,2005, DHS and
USDA moved to ensure a viable inspection process was established.
MREs and other controlled items were not allowed to depart the
warehouse without proper inspection. Once approved by the
responsible inspection agency, the items were eligible for FEMA's use
and could depart the warehouse. This process ensured that some 25,000
vegetarian MREs safely entered the distribution system.
Q: Did any non-inspected MREs enter FEMA9ssupply chain?
A: It is the Department's understanding that only USDA-approved MREs

were transferred to FEMA. We are aware of one MRE shipment that
was released from, and then recalled to, the warehouse over possible
concerns that the rations were not properly inspected, but these meals
did not enter the supply chain.
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
Q: Why did you keep the inadmissible M W s for six months (and
spend $80,000+ to do so)? Why didn't you just burn them or bury
them in a IandfiII?
A: The best course of action was to identify other countries that could
benefit from these donations. The State Dept. canvassed a range of
foreign governments, international organizations and non-governmental
organizations'to ensure the rations could be used effectively; Several
international organizations and NGOs indicated they could incorporate
the rations into their operations and feeding programs. The USG
concluded arrangements with several of these organizations and
transferred the rations to those groups for their use. This arrangement
was done with the full concurrence of the donating nations.
Regarding the $80,000 in storage fees. ~ c c o r d i to

n ~USAID,.the cost
of the warehouse lease from early September, 2005 through March 3 1,
2006 is $83,000. The warehouse was used by USAID to store other
foreign donations received for Hurricane Katrina prior to their onward
distribution; so the $83,000 is not fully attributable to storage of the
MREs. In deciding to continue to store the MREs in the warehouse, the
USG balanced extended lease costs versus high costs fdr destruction
(estimated at $600,000 for the destruction of 210,000 MREs) and desire
to find useful end use for the food.
If pressed: Destroying these rations in compliance with USG regulations
would have cost several hundred thousand dollars.
Q: If asked: Does the.USG believe these MREs are safe for

consumption in the third countries that have received them?
A: All of the organizations selected assured us the rations would be.

utilized only in countries whose laws and regulations allowed their
importation and consumption. We are satisfied with the assurances we
received from.these organizations.
Q: If asked: Why not just give the unused MREs back to the donors?
A: Donor governments indicated they did not wish to have the rations
returned. We have consulted with donor governments concerning our plans
to ensure the rations were utilized.
25
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
Q: What procedures are in place to avoid delays during the next crisis?
e Homeland Security Council's lessons learned process, the

State Department is working with USAID, FEMA, and other agencies
to develop procedures for expeditiously reviewing and assessing
international assistance offers in domestic crises. This will include a
coordination process among federal agencies to solicit, accept, receive,
integrate and distribute foreign assistance in all fonns. An interagency
working group is currently reviewing a draft procedural manual, which
will be submitted in final form to the HSC by June 1.
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
- Q: How will the Department handle these offers in the future?
with USAID's Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance, DHS-FEMA,

Treasury and other agencies to propose guidelines and standard
operating procedures that are being developed to handle both material
and cash assistance that would be received in the event of a hture
domestic disaster.
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
Q: Does the Department need any additional authorities to facilitate
A:
The Department of State, under its authorities related to the conduct of
foreign relations and the National Response Plan, is authorized to act
"as the intermediary for foreign offers of assistance to the U.S.
Government."
As to whether additional authorities are needed and where they should

be' provided, the Homeland Secwrity Council is leading a review of the
interagency process with respect to, among other things, the receipt of
international donations.
Within the context of that review, we will be looking at what if any,

. additional authorities are needed, including recommendations by the
GAO, as to the need for legislation to allow financial donations to be
placed in aninterest bearing account pending determination as to their
appropriate use.
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
Q: Do international donations raise any special liability issues?
There are liability issues, not only for foreign donors of goods and
services but for US donors as well.
In this regard, the Lessons Learned recommendations include a

recommendation (1 02) that encourages the passage and enactment of
S. 1747, currently pending in the 109th Congress, which is a bill to
Iimit liability for volunteers and those providing goods and services
for disaster relief.
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
Drafted by: Katrina Working Group; SES/OPS/CMS/; EUR, EAP, NEA .
by: John
Cleared by:
DOSISES-0: MMorrow: OK
DOS/S/ES-0-CMS: DMcCarthy: OK
DOS/AF-EX: WCampbell - OK
DOS: CA/OCS: DAS: CBarry: OK
DOSPM-ISO: FPonds - ok
DOS/RM/CFO: DBordley - ok
DOS/EUR/PGI: ANorrnan - ok
DOS/L: PGutherie OK
DOSLNEARA: SFox - OK
DOS/EAP/RSP: DAtkinson - OK
DOS/EB/IFD: ABesmer - ok
DOS/IIP/T/GIC: EKane - ok
DOS/DS/OFM: JArndt - ok
DOS: JSullivan - ok
UNCLASSIFIED
= -;'* UNCLASSIFIED
L82
RELEASED IN FULL
EUR PRESS GUIDANCE
October 13,2005
Q: What will happen to the MREs? How did this happen? What role did the
Department of State play? What was FEMA's role? Who controlled the
shipment? What do we think of the Washington Post article? Do we still believe
that British beef is dangerous?
9 The British MREs were donated to help the people devastated by Hurricane
Katrina. We are very grateful for the UK's assistance, as we are for all the
expressions of concern and support we received from all the countries that
stepped forward to help us in this disaster. Unfortunately; our laws prevent the
importation of British beef. The regulation was put into place in 1997 when there
was an outbreak of Mad Cow disease in Britain. Should this be looked at again?
That of course would be up to the USDA, While it is the law we must obey it.
9 On Labor Day weekend, F.EMA informed,us through the State Rep sitting on the
FEMA Task Force, that food was urgently needed for the Katrina victims. On the
basis of that information the Department of State sent a cable out to all of our
embassies with a list of what was needed. That list included MRES.
9 The British immediately offered many things including MREs. Based on the
needs identified in the field these MREs were accepted.
No one wants to see this generous donation go to waste. Since our regulations
will not let us use them in the United States we are looking outside the United
States. It is an unfortunate fact that there are many people in the world who could
benefit from these MREs. We would be happy to hear from any country that
would find them of use.

R E V I E W AUTHORITY: FRANK TUMMINIA
DATEICASE ID: 28 JUN 2006 200503991 UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
Background: The Washington Post story has its facts correct as far as we know.
The confusion around Hurricane Katrina has been noted before. On Labor Day
weekend, mMA informed us through the State Department rep &signed to the
FEMA Task Force that they had an urgent requirement for food. On the basis of
that information, we sent out a cable asking foreign countries for a number of
things, including MREs. European countries were among the first to respond to our
request for assistance. USDA has also prevented distribution of approximately 33K
MREs from Germany, Russia, Spain and France. Those portions, with the
exception of 12k German MIZEs in Gulfport, MS, are in the same warehouse as the
330K UK MREs.USAID portfolio was to receive, warehouse and distribute the
commodities. USIAD is paying for the warehouse at $16,000 per month. There
never was any idea of destroying them which is what a British newspaper claimed.
UNCLASSIFIED ~
Drafted: EUR/PPD/PA GKeener, x7-6976
Cleared:
EUR/FO: DFried -ok
EUWFO:CGraffyk -info
S/ES: HThomas:ok
EUR/PGI: Alan Yu -ok
EURIPGI: ANorman -ok
L-LM: RVisik'-ok
EBIPPD: KKnight-info
P:PPLunkett -ok
D:TSmith-info
S / P : DWicks-ok .
USAD: KSSheridan-ok
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
RELEASED IN FUL
M PRESS GUIDANCE
.October26,2005
Transfer to FEMA of Foreign Cash Donations for Hurricane Katrina Relief
State has transferred $66 million in foreign financial donations to FEMA to

fund case management services for Hurricane Katrina victims.
We want to thank the foreign donors whose contributions will directly help
Katrina victims. , .
Department acted a primary link between USG and foreign governments for ,
Katrina response and recovery. That included working closely with foreign
. .
donors'in collecting monetary assistance.
Refer to DHS/FEMA for details on the case management program, but our
understanding is this will help identify and address victims' needs that cannot
be addressed by other programs. ,
If asked re: plans for remaining foreign donations?
We are working with our interagency partners to evaluate a number of

options to d e t e f i n e the best possible use of the remaining funds.
' Want to ensure maximum amount of assistance goes directly to those in
need.
If asked re: efforts to secure balance of foreign funds pledged but not yet
donated?
Deeply appreciate all the pledges made by foreign governments to assist those
impacted by Katrina.
Each donor government has its own process for releasing its donation; process .
may take some time.

Given the vast and unique circumstances of this disaster, the recovery process
will be lengthy, and there will be no shortage of potential uses for the foreign
assistance when it arrives.
We remain in contact with donor governments.
Once donations are received, every effort will be made to expedite the
delivery of assistance to those who need it.

REVIEW AUTHORITY: FRANK TUMMINIA .
DATEJCASE ID: 28 JUN 2006 200503991 . I-JNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
Background: FEMA is issuing a release this afternoon announcing its case management
program for Hurricane Kavina victims and that $66 million to finance the program came from
, foreign donations and was transferred to FEMA by the Department.
We have concluded an MOU with DHS to ensure FEMA will use the funds transparently
and with accountability to State and to foreign donors.
The total pledged by foreign governments and parties thus far is $854.4 million. Only $120.2
million of this total (including $117.9 million from foreign governments) has been received by
the Department thus far.
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
Drafted: M P : DWertman, x7-2554 .
Cleared:
- ok
M- ' ~ ~ e n t
RM - CScalzo - ok
. .
S-ES - 0 - JBass - ok
S-ES - HThomas - ok
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
RELEASED IN FULL
Secretan's Foreim Assistance Tatkine Points for 9/11/05 as of 11:OO 9/10/05.
We are grateful for the continuing outpouring of assistance ariving by air, land, and sea from the
supplies, fuel, technical expertise and equipment. The U.S. greatly appreciates these outpouring
of offers of support and assistance from around the world. We are continuing to work to match
our needs with the types of materials aned expertise that are being offered so as to be able to
This effort to match needs and offers is an ongoing process and is bas'& in part on our ability to
absorb assistance and utilize it well. Twenty-seven (27) planes with relief supplies from abroad
have arrived at a central distribution point in Little Rock, Arkansas. Two of the flights from
yesterdaj contained 20 tons of relief supplies from Tunisia.
We are continuing to receive tremendous support from our good neigbors both to the north and
Offers of assistance have come from around the world and reflect recognition that the victims of
The Republic of Korea has offered 2 tons of diapers and other supplies as part of the
Egypt has offered 6,000 blankets and supplies
A local school in Medan, Indonesia has offered $25,000 in local currency.
Namibia has offered $100,000 worth of supplies
, Even more than the actual material support, we appreciate the goodwill that has generated these
offers. The American people have'a long tradition of extending a hand to those in need. Now, in
our time of need, we are deeply touched to see the response of people from every corner of the

UNCLASSIFIED
world. Twenty embassies in Africa have so far received over twenty-two thousand condolence
messages.
consular officers representing a large number of countries to allow them to visit the region and
donated resources, we have established an office in Baton Rouge, Louisiana--called State South
'
Orleans. Ambassador Sullivan is a Career Minister in the Senior Foreign Service with over 30.
years of diplomatic experience in Africa, the Middle East, Latin America, and Europe.
I:\TFIU)ocs\TalkingPoints for Secretary 10 Sept 1100.doc
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
PRESS TALKING POINTS RELEASED IN FULL
FOREIGN ASSISTANCE FOR HURlUCANE VICTIMS
We are very grateful to the leaders and citizens of the more than 75
countries and international organizations that have offered assistance and
support.
USAID's Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) has activated a

Hurricane Katina Operations Center to provide support to FEMA and
assist in the facilitation of official, international offers of assistance and
the provision of personnel and commodity support to the response.
We have accepted, in principle, all offers of material assistance (supplies,

equipment, and monetary). OFDA will work with FEMA to match
donations with needs and to coordinate transport and delivery of these
items.
Many governments have made significant offers of long-term technical

assistance including teams of experts in logistics and management.
These are complicated and may take some time to assess how they can
meet our needs. We are giving each one serious consideration.
INTERNATIONAL ASSISTANCE HIGHLIGHTS .I

Several countries in the Middle East have made generous offers and
contributions. Kuwait has offered $100 million in grant aid and $400
million petroleum products. Qatar has offered a cash donation of $100
million.
We are accepting numerous offers from Canada's public and private

sectors including direct offers &om the provinces. Some of the aid that
has been accepted includes pharmaceuticals, emergency supplies, and
bilateral military collaboration including aircraft. Air Canada planes have
been used in the evacuation efforts.
A Mexican Navy ship will depart Monday bringing vkhicles and subplies
for the relief effort. Fifteen Mexican Army trucks will leave Mexico City
Wednesday morning to bring supplies to Houston for distribution.

DATEICASE ID: 23 OCT 2006 200503991
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
12:15 PM 7/6/2006
The United Nations is sending a Disaster Assessment and Coordination

Team along with other experts to assist with recovery efforts. The
Organization of American stateshave made a c
Attachment:
Matrix
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
Drafted:
PS/PRS lphillips
Cleared:
TASK FORCE
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
PRESS TALKING POINTS

RELEASED IN FULL
FOREIGN ASSISTANCE FOR HURRICANE VICTIMS
We are very grateful to the leaders and citizens of the more than 75
support.

Hurricane Katrina Operations Center to provide support to FEMA and
assist in'the facilitation of official, international offers of ,assistance and

items. .

These are complicated and it may take some time to assess how they can
meet our needs. We are giving each offer serious consideration.
INTERNATIONAL ASSISTANCE HIGHLIGHTS
million.
We are accepting numerous offers fiom Canada's public and private

sectors including direct offers fiom the provinces. Some of the aid that
bilateral military collaboration including aircraft. Air Canada planes have .
A Mexican Navy ship will depart Monday bringing vehicles and supplies

UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
12:25 PM 7/6/2006

Organization of American States has made a cash contribution fiom its
emergency fund and has created a specific fund to receive donations from
member states. r
QUOTES FROM SECFUITARY RICE
"And we've received offers of assistance fiom some 70 countries now,

countries as powerful and big as France or China, and as small as the
Bahamas, or one of the most touching ones for me was Sri Lanka, which is
still recovering from its own natural disaster." En route Mobile, Alabama,
September 4,2005
"But we are also now really starting to see the benefit of these donations
because we're being able to now to begin to make use of the donations that
are coming in." En route Mobile, Alabama, September 4,2005
"I just want to say that people have said without fail that the United States is
a compassionate country that has helped so much when there has been
devastation around the world that they want give back to the united States.
And that shouId make us feel good as Americans to know that people
acknowledge how much we have been able to help and that they now want
to help us." Bayou La Batre, Alabama, September 4,2005
Attachment:
Matrix - most recent update
UNCLASSIFIED
.
. . ..
UNCLASSIFIED
Drafted:
PSPRS lphillips
Cleared:
TASK FORCE
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
TALKING RELEASED IN FULL

FOREIGN ASSISTANCE FOR HURRICANE VICTIMS
We are very grateful to the leaders and citizens of the-morethan 75

support.

Hurricane Katrina Operations Center to provide support to FEMA and
assist in the facilitation of official, international offers of assistance and

items.

These are complicated and it may take some time to assess how they can
meet our needs. We are giving each offer serious consideration.
INTERNATIONAL ASSISTANCE HIGHLIGHTS
million.
We are accepting numerous offers from Canada's public and private

sectors including direct offers fkom the provinces. Some of the aid that
bilateral military collaboration including aircraft. Air Canada planes have
A Mexican Navy ship will depart Monday bringing vehicles and supplies

UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED

Organization of American States has made a cash contribution from its
emergency h n d and has created a specific fund to receive donations from
member states.
OUOTES FROM SECRETARY RICE
"And we've received offers of assistance from some 70 countries now,

countries as powerful and big as France or China, and as small as the
Bahamas, or one of the most touching ones for me was Sri Lanka, which is
still recovering fkom its own natural disaster." En route Mobile, Alabama,
September 4,2005
"But we are also now really starting to see the benefit of these donations
because we're being able to now to begin to make use of the donations that
are coming in." En route Mobile, Alabama, September 4,2005
"I just want to say that people have said without fail that the United States is
a compassionate country that has helped so much when there has been
devastation around the world that they want give back to the United States.
And that should make us feel good as Americans to know that people
acknowledge how much we have been able to help and that they now want
to help us." Bayou La Batre, Alabama, September 4,2005
Attachment:
Matrix - most recent update
UNCLASSIFIED
.. . . -- .
UNCLASSIFIED
Drafted:
PS/PRS lphillips
Cleared:
TASK FORCE
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--
UNCLASSIFIED , L B O .
( INITIALS
1 .
CLR 4 : MKN
CLR 5: POM
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RELEASED IN FULL
R : JCWRTIN:JAB
01/27/06 7-9199
R :KHUGHES
IMMEDIATE ALDAC, BELIZE IMMEDIATE, DUSHANBE IMMEDIATE,

KHARTOUM IMMEDIATE, USLO TRIPOLI IMMEDIATE
FOR AMBASSADORS, PAOS AND POLITICAL SECTIONS FROM KAREN

HUGHES
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KPAO, PREL
SUBJECT: ECHO CHAMBER MESSAGE -- RESPONSE TO HURRICANE
KATRINA t
1. I hope you will join with President Bush, Secretary

Rice and me in publicly expressing America's great
appreciation for the generous offers of assistance we are
receiving from around the world in response to the
devastation of Hurricane Katrina. As of Tuesday
afternoon, more than ninety countries and organizations
have offered some form of assistance, from cash.donations
to helicopters, generators, tents and food. I encourage
ambassadors and other embassy officers to find
opportunities through speeches and media interviews to
publicly thank foreign citizens and their governments for
their generosity and, where possible, to highlight the
concrete benefits hurricane victims are receiving. (A list
of foreign offers which we have accepted at this point or
plan to accept will be sent septel.)
2. Following are some themes that mission officers can use
in media interviews:
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED 2
The American people are touched and deeply grateful for the
generous offers of help we have received from governments,
individuals and private organizations around the world.
This generous outpouring provides both practical help and
moral support, which mean a great deal to the victims of
this terrible natural disaster and to all ~mericans.
We greatly appreciate all the assistance and were
especially moved by offers of help from those nations still
recovering from their own catastrophe, last year's tsunami:
Bangladesh,' Sri Lanka, India, Indonesia, Thailand and the
Maldives. That nations and peoples who have themselves
suffered such an overwhelming tragedy would reach out to
the American people in our time of need is a vivid example
of the humanity and compassion that unite us all as human
beings.
Because of the massive scale of the disaster and difficult
conditions in the stricken region, we may be able to accept
some offers of assistance sooner than others. The State
Department is working with local, state,'federal
authorities and the U.S. military to receive offered
assistance as rapidly as possible. We are grateful for the
world's generosity.
We are also working hard to help governments around the
world locate their citizens who may have been affected by
the hurricane. Our goal is to have people reunited as
quickly as possible with their loved ones. We have located
all the students.andscholars in the area who are sponsored
by State Department exchange programs; they,are safe; and
we are placing them at other schools; (Residents of
foreign countries seeking assistance in locating family
members have been advised to contact the Red ~ross/Red
Crescent in their country or contact their embassies in
Washington.)
3, Secretary Rice and President Bush are deeply involved
in recovery efforts and will continue to speak out about
. the international response to the hurricane. Remarks by
the Secretary and the President will provide ambassadors
with further points to make in their own remarks to in-
country officials, media and publics.
Enter text here.
4. Minimize considered.
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
Internal USG LJse Only - Do not Distribute
RFT r; A
,L,,H,I3LJU
cr;n T X T TT TT T
1 I-'! f ' '5liL
Press Points Regarding Foreigr! Donated ?Jeals Ready to Eat (MREs) at?d Other
Donated Food
DWFT 1- UPDATED 13 September 05
- The United States greatly appreciates the support it has received from the
international community in the aftermath of hurricane Katrina.
- Our goal is to make sure everyone affected by Hurricane Katrina has access to a safe,
wholesome food supply.
- In particular, we appreciate countries providing MREs.

- A s we've stressed, relief operations are very dynamic. We are now sufficiently
advanced in our efforts to feed hurricane victims that no additional foreign donated
MREs are requested.wqwt4-
- W e will develop plans for the disposition of those foreign

donations that have been received and are no-t being distributed.
ONLY IF ASKED:
Q: How many items were set aside because they do not meet US Regulations?
- Some proportion is being set aside; it is difficult at this point to determine a percentage
as the process is ongoing.
Q: Were some commodities that did not meet US regulations distributed?
- To meet urgent needs in the affected area, some commodities donated by foreign
governments were distributed before complete inspections were undertaken. It is
possible some of those commodities would not meet all US specifications.
Q: Is it possible that the NATO MRE's that do not meet US regulations are provided to
US troops when serving with NATO forces?
Refer the question to the Department of Defense.
UNITED STATES DEP/\RTVIEN'T OF ST.4TE

REVIEW 4CIrTHORITY: FK4iVK TIIVliCIIVIA
DATEICASE ID: 03 NOV 2006 200503991
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
14 September, 2005 (evening)
Baton Rouge, P C 0
Anecdotes:
RELEASED IN FULL
On September 8, Abdallah ab Albaka, the Mayor of the small town of Tessalit in the Republic of
Mali, sent a letter to President George Bush via the USAID Disaster Assistance Response Team
@ART) which is assisting people throughout West Africa who are suffering in an acute food
security crisis. h the letter, the Mayor wrote the following message (unofficial translation):
For several days, we have been following, via the media, news of the catastrophe which severely
impacted several cities in the south of your country following devastation from the exceptional
I-Iumcane Katrina.
In the face of the immense damage that it caused, the entire population of Tessalit offers their
compassion to the victims and to the entire American people.
Mr. President - as stockbreeding nomads of the commune of Tessalit, we are very familiar with
natural catastrophes, having endured terrible droughts which have shaken both us and our culture.
Since then, we have developed strong sentiments of solidarity with others who suffer on our
planet. It is for this reason that today we are with one heart with all of the men, women and
children who escaped and who were killed in the states of Louisiana and Mississippi.
With the hope of seeing the affected populations returned speedily to both material and
psychological stability, please accept, Mr. President, this testament of continued solidarity. I
Israel has sent relief items for the Hurricane Katrina response, such as baby goods, foam
mattresses, medical bandages, nearly one ton of UHT milk, 1.3 tons of mineral water, and
clothing. On the items, Israel included a message:
To the people of New Orleans, Louisiana

We, the people of Israel, are unfortunately used to dealing with disasters. This is why we know
very well how you are feeling right now. Be strong, "Always look on the bright side of life" as I
the song says.
TNUVA, the biggest food supplier in Israel, sends you a modest help. May God be with you,
soon improving your situation.
On September 13, three USAID Geld team members accompanied FEMA in a visit to Harrison
County, MS and had the chance to talk with the County Emergency Manager, Mr. Joe Spraggins.
Mi. Spraggins described in great detail the continuing needs of the Hurricane affected people in
his county, and the challenges faced in finding locations for temporary housing, accessing
hardest hit areas due to roads being damaged, and the need to get people back to work. Upon
learning of the role of USAID and the State Department in the relief effort, Mr. Spraggins
expressed his deep gratitude for the assistance for Katrina victims, and included his personal
thanks to the international community for recognizing the need for assistance and for its quick
action to relieve suffering.
Also on September 13, USAID field team members visited an Ocean Springs, MS point of
distribution (POD) center, and spoke with Managers Carl King and Karen McAndrew. At this
center, tents from Russia and tents and generators from China were in the process of being
distributed. Three Russian tent systems had already been set up in a damaged mobile home park,
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE 1

DATEJCASE ID: 10 OCT 2006 200503991 UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
(Background information for the Secretary)
FEMA provided the Department with a list of approved critical needs

September 3. Based on this information, the Department notified all
overseas posts and began to coordinate and approve assistance offers
from foreign governments. The Department received numerous
responses fkom foreign governments and international organizations.
On September 5, FEMA appeared to change course and indicated it
wanted to clear each individual offer of assistance directly.
The initial delay in our ability to accept offers and this latest
development is beginning to cause a problem in our bilateral
relationships. We are under intense pressure to move quickly and
accept these offers and arrange logistics. However, FEMA is
struggling to provide approvals and logistical coordination.
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
RELEASED IN FULL
-
Draft
Talking Points on International Assistance for Interagency 9/9/05
U.S. grateful for outpouring of assistance offers from the world

community. These generous offers will do much to alleviate the
human suffering caused by the destructive hurricane and its aftermath.
1 15 countries and 1 1 international organizations have o'ffered

assistance
Offers -includein excess of $760 million in financial contributions and

millions of dollars worth of emergency relief supplies and.expertise
In-kind offers range from large to small; from cruise ships (for
housing the victims) and high-volume pumps to tents, blankets and
bandages
U.S. tapping technical expertise of UN agencies, including World

Health Organization and UNICEF. NATO and EU helping coordinate
their members' contributions.
Material support important, but pales beside the goodwill that has
generated these offers. American people have a long tradition of
extending a hand to those in need. Americans deeply touched by
response from every comer of the world in our own time of need.
Many foreign nationals are also missing or displaced by this tragedy.

State Department working closely with embassies and officials of
many countries to help them to visit the region and assist their
nationals.
Situation on the ground is dynamic. USG emergency response

authorities will continue to determine what is required most urgently
to meet the immediate needs of those suffering from the hurricane's
impact.

DATEICASE ID: 28 NOV 2006 200503991 UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
W4Lt
RELEASED IN FULL
Secretary's Foreign Assistance Talking Points 9/9/05
The world has responded to the emergency of Hurricane Katrina. 104 countries and 12
international organizations have offered money, food, and technical and medical
assistance to the recovery efforts. These generous efforts will do much to alleviate the
The situation on the ground is dynamic, amd we continue to determine what is needed
most urgently to meet our immediate needs.
Relief supplies continue to arrive by land, air, and sea.
On land, a 45-truck convoy of relief supplies arrived yesterday from Mexico.
From the air, relief supplies from abroad are arriving at a 'central distribution point in
Little Rock, Arkansas: yesterday, one plane arrived in New York.frorn Thailand to
deliver blankets destined for Little Rock. The Thai Prime Minister will arrive soon with
additional aid.
Gifts from all over the world continue to pour in, and in various forms, including cash
assistance, materiel and supplies, fuel, technical expertise and equipment. Although it
would be impossible to f i s h a complete list, here are some examples that represent
only a fraction of the generous gifts to the American people from the people of the world:
India has a flight prepared to depart fiom New Delhi with personal hygiene kits, blankets,
sheets, and tarps;
Austria h& offered camp beds and tarps;
Russia has offered a second tranche.of emergency medical supplies and equipment;
The American people deeply appreciate any and all assistance fiom the people of the
world. But we must strongly emphasize that we appreciate most'deeply the solidarity of
the people of the world and their offer to stand side by side with us in this time of need.
The world must be made aware of the international dimensions of this catastrophe.
Although it is primarily American citizens who are in need, we have a responsibility to
the people of the world whose lives and interests are in danger. Foreign consulates,
tourists, students, and other visitors to the areas have been affected by the Hurricane and
its aftermath. The Department of State is working with consular officers of the
Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Venezuela, Honduras, France, Ecuador, Japan, Spain,
and Panama in order to allow them to visit their consulates in New Orleans.
In order to bolster both our efforts to assist foreign consular personnel and to ccordinate
the distribution of donated resources, the Department of State is establishing an oflice in
Baton Rouge, Louisiana--called State South for short.

UNCLASSIFIED
In order to bolster both our efforts to assist foreign consular personnel and to coordinate
the distribution of donated resources, the Department of State is establishing an office in
Baton Rouge, Louisiana--called State South for short.
Our task force at State South is headed by Ambassador Joseph G. Sullivan, who, until
Hurricane Katrina struck, had been the Department's Diplomat in Residence at Tulane
University in New Orleans.
Ambassador Sullivan is a respected public servant, a Career Minister in the Senior

Foreign Service with over 30 years of diplomatic experience in Africa, the Middle East,
Latin America, and Europe. He brings, in addition to considerable acumen as a diplomat
and administrator, a knowledge of public health issues from his previous work at the U.S.
Public Health Service.
Drafted by: Kraerner (PA/HO)

TF- 1
8 September 2005 21 :00
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
RELEASED IN FULL
Secretarv's Foreign Assistance TaIkinp Points 9/9/05
The world has responded to the emergency of Hurricane Katrina. 104 countries and 12
international organizations'have offered money, food, and technical and medical
assistance to the recovery efforts. These generous efforts will do much to alleviate the
. The situation on the ground is dynamic, arnd we continue to determine what is needed
most urgently to meet our immediate needs.
Relief supplies continue to arrive by land, air,-and sea.
On land, a 45-truck convoy of relief supplies arrived yesterday from Mexico.
From the air, relief supplies from abroad are arriving at a central distribution point in
Little Rock, Arkansas: yesterday, three planes fiom the UK and two planes each fiom
Russia and Egypt, one fiom Spain, arrived yesterday. Today, flights fiom Tunisia and
Israel will arrive.
Gifts from all over the world continue to pour in, and in various forms, including cash
assistance, materiel and supplies, h e l , technical expertise and equipment. Although it
would be impossible to hmish a complete list, here are some examples that represent
only a fraction of the generous gifts to the American people from the people of the world:
Portugal has contributed two percent of its oil reserves, or 500,000 barrels;
Armenia contributed, and then recently doubled, its original contribution of $100,000;
Vietnam has donated $1 00,000;
The World Health Organization of the United Nations has offered vital technical and
personnel assistance in the form of public health officers and logisiticians, as well as
emergency health kits.
The American people deeply appreciate any and all assistance fkom the people of the
world. But we must strongly emphasize that we appreciate most deeply the solidarity of
the people of the world and their offer to stand side by side with us in this time of need.
The world must be made aware of the international dimensions of this catastrophe.
Although it is primarily American citizens who are in need, we have a responsibility to
the people of the world whose lives and interests are in danger. Foreign consulates,
tourists, students, and other visitors to the areas have been affected by the Hurricane and
its aftermath. The Department of State is working with consular officers of the
Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Venezuela, Honduras, France, Ecuador, Japan, Spain,
and Panama in order to allow them to visit their consulates in New Orleans.

UNCLASSIFIED
Our task force at State South is headed by Ambassador Joseph G. Sullivan, who, until
Hurricane Katrina struck, had been the Department's Diplomat in Residence at Tulane
University in New OrIeans.
Ambassador Sullivan is a respected public servant, a Career Minister in the Senior

,Foreign Service with over 30 years of diplomatic experience in Afiica, the Middle East,
Latin America, and Europe. He brings, in addition to considerable acumen as a diplomat
and administrator, a knowledge of public health issues fiom his previous work at the U.S.
Public Health Service.
Drafted by: MPuccetti WHAPPC

TF- I .
9 September 2005 06:40
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
OR THE SYSTEM 200519788
cJ-15-
RELEASED IN FUL€
United States Department of State
Washington,D.C.20520
www.state.gov
September 6,2005
UNCLASSIFIED
9/6 MEMORANDUM
DIST:
----
S TO: AF - A/S Frazer
D EAP - A/S Hill
P
AF
EUR - A/S Fried
EAP NEA - A/S Welch
EUR SA - A/S Rocca
NEA WHA - A/S Noriega
SA
WHA I 0 - A/S Silverberg
I0
S/ES
s/Es-0
FROM: The Executive Secretary - Harry K. Thomas, Jr.
T a s k Force
SUBJECT: Hurricane Katrina: Response to Countries Offering Medical
Assistance
s and international organizations have offered

... medical assistance (personnel, equipment and supplies, pharmaceuticals) to
the Hurricane Katrina relief effort. The USG is ~t in a position at this time
to accept such offers, but has identified a need for forensic expertise to deal
with the identification and handling of human remains in afflicted areas. We
are aware that some countries have already offered forensic expertise.
Attached are talking points to respond to governments that have

offered medical assistance. Also attached is a list of those countries that
have made such offers. As soon as possible, Assistant Secretaries should
deliver these points orally to Ambassadors of foreign missions, or instruct
appropriate U.S. Chiefs of Mission to deliver the points orally to host
government foreign ministries.
-
1 Talking Points
2 - List of Countries Offering Medical Assistance
DATEJCASE ID: 10 AUG 2006 200503991
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
RELEASED!&FA&+
Hurricane Katrina
Talking Points on Medical Assistance Offers
We're grateful for your generous offer of medical assistance to

Hurricane Katrina victims.
We believe, however, based on ow current assessments, that we can

meet all of our medical assistance needs by drawing on domestic
resources across the U.S.
Forensic expertise, on the other hand, is a need we have identified as i

one where our international partners could potentially help. !I
Specifically, we anticipate a significant need for assistance in

identifying human remains in the afflicted area and handling these
remains with dignity.
If you believe your government can assist us in this matter, we ask I

that you let us know by contacting the U.S. Embassy or the State -. *- -* -*- - ,.
Department's Hurricane Katrina Task Force.
We will then follow up by working with you to describe and match up

our precise needs with your precise capabilities.

UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
C l 5
RELEASED IN FULL
6
Hurricane Katrina
Countries and International Organizations Offering Medical Assistance
(Personnel, Equipment and Supplies, Pharmaceuticals)
Albania Jordan
Belgium Latvia
Brazil Mexico
Canada Netherlands
China Norway
Chile Pakistan
Cuba Peru
Czech Republic Philippines
Egypt Romania
El Salvador Russia
France Slovakia
Germany Slovenia
Greece South Afica
HUJ%ary Spain
Sri Lanka
Taiwan
Italy Thailand
Japan United Kingdom
Venezuela
World Health Organization

UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
S:Katrina ResultsKatrina Results Disk 3-
Human Interest Stories Relating to Foreign Relief Aid RELEASED IN FULL

i
September 14,2005, Shift 3 (3-1 lpm)
Japan The U.S. Embassy in Tokyo was overwhelmed by the generosity of one
Japanese individual, who donated $1 million from his personal h d s to Katrina relief
efforts. Takashi Endo, a private businessman in Japan, already has transferred the
funds to the official U.S. government account for Katrina relief efforts. J. Thomas
Schieffer, the U.S. ambassador to Japan, recognized Endo's extraordinary gift with a
certificate of appreciation on September 7.
Source: DOS intranet Infocentral
a Israel has sent relief items for the Hurricane Katrina response, such as baby goods,
foam mattresses, medical bandages, nearly one ton of UHT milk, 1.3 tons of mineral
water, and clothing. On the items, Israel included a message:
To the people of New Orleans, Louisiana

We, the people of Israel, are unfortunately used to dealing with disasters. This is why we
know very well how you are feeling right now. Be strong, "Always look on the bright .
side of life" as the song says.
TNUVA, the biggest food supplier in Israel, sends you a modest help. May God be with
you, soon improving your situation.
Source: US Dos [travelingline@yahoo.com]
Russia and China On September 13, USAID field team members visited an Ocean
Springs, MS point of distribution (POD) center, and spoke with Managers Carl King
and Karen McAndrew. At this center, tents from Russia and tents and generators
from China were in the process of being distributed. Three Russian tent systems had
already been set up in a damaged mobile home park, with four others assigned to
work crews operating in Ocean Springs. The Chinese tents are expected to go to
other shelters this week. At first, the Russian, five-person tents were difficult to erect,
due in part to the directions not being in English, but a crew fiom the local fire
department have been helping to put them up. The Chinese, 3-person tents are easier
to put up but are somewhat small. Generators are the greatest need and Mr. King and
Ms. McAndrew are carefully analyzing each request for generators in the area to
ensue they are used where there is the most need. Three have been given to certified
work crews and ten to a local church which is supported a local center and the
American Red Cross.
India $5 million to American Red Cross medical teams

Source: AP,9/6/05

, DATEICASE ID: 27 SEP 2006 200503991 UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
S:\Katrina Results\Katrina Results Disk 3-
4Sept05.doc
Docs\TalkingPoints~HurnananInterestanAiddOffersl
A performance by a dance troupe fiom India, originally intended to benefit tsunami
reconstruction, now will aid Katrina victims.
Source: The Arizona Republic
Canada The National Librarian and Archivist of Canada offered the Ambassador
assistance in restoring historic documents, manuscripts, maps, and artwork that may
have been damaged by flooding of archives or museums.
A Francophone school near Ottawa offered home ho-spitalityand classroom space for
teachers and skdents affected by the disaster.
A ~anadianfederal bureaucrat who manages a Klezmer band is holding a benefit

concert at a downtown coffee shop.
Source: Embassy Ottawa
Honduras Offered 134-member medical and search team

Source: AP, 9/6/05
Spain In Seville, the Alliance of Active Women is collaborating with Hope's

Journey, an organization that distributes free school supplies for children worldwide
and they are responsible for sewing one hundred zippered nylon cases that will be
packed with hygiene products and school supplies to be distributed among those
displaced by Hurricane Katrina.
Source: https://www.naus-journalonline.comRVavsJournalOnline~ews~estVolusia
UNICEF Mr. James Crowell of the Main Street Baptist Church in Biloxi, MS
received more than 200 education and recreation kits ("schools-in-a-box") donated by
UNICEF yesterday. The kits arrived in at Little Rock Air Force Base this week fiom
Copenhagen, Denmark. The kits include numerous recreational sports supplies,
typical school supplies, and items to set up playgrounds and play areas, which Mr.
Cromwell said was very important to get .the minds of the children off of what has
happened. Mr. Crowell was thankful that the kits have arrived and are packaged well
and easy to use. In about two weeks, school is scheduled to open again and the
church kindergarten as well as area pre-schools will receive the much needed items.
Many reports on local radio stations across Mississippi and Louisiana over the past
week have been reporting that while school buildings in certain areas are open and
ready for students, school officials want to be sure that the roads are clear of debris
and low-lying power lines so that the school buses can transport children in safety.
No International Visitor or Youth program participants were affected by the hurricane.
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
S:\Katrina Results\Katrina Results Disk 3-
4Sept05.doc
Docs\TalkingPoints~HurnananInterestZnAiddOffers~l
Humphrey (mid-career fellows on non-degree programs at US universities): There
were two Humphrey fellows, one Afghan @r. Ahmadullah Molakhail) and one
Indian (Dr. Prakash Tyagi), at Tulane University. They were evacuated and
transferred to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Fulbright: There were three Fulbright scholars in the area affected by the hurricane--
two Pakistanis and one Nepali.
--Pakistani scholar Samina Farid at the University of Mississippi is safe and well
and still at the University.
--Pakistani scholar Rose Mangle at Tulane was evacuated to Houston.
--Nepali scholar Krishna Shakya at Louisiana University is safe in Baton Rouge.
Source: Kathy Van de Vate, Cultural Coordinator, Ofice of Press and Public
Diplomacy, Bureau of South Asian Aflairs
Human Interest StoriesDomestic
In Minnesota, 9-year-old Bailey Espelin, who spent the summer selling popsicles at
her parents' stand at the local farmers market, is now displaying a hand drawn sign
informing potential customers that she is raising money for Katrina hurricane victims.
"I'm giving half of my profits to the victims of hurricane Katrina, just because I want
to help them out and give them some money and stuff,'' says Espelin.
rehab memories/
Source: ht~://news.minnesota.publicradio.or~features/2005/09/07
Historian Douglas Brinkley will donate Katrina book proceeds. When Hurricane
Katrina hit, Tulane University historian reacted like a family man, getting himself, his
wife and two young children out of their apartment overlooking the Mississippi River
and safely on to Houston. When he returned later to New Orleans to help with the
rescue effort, Brinkley began thinking again like a historian.
"In another two to three weeks, the media trucks will have pulled out, but the people
here will still have a lot to do. The architects will start working on blueprints for the
new buildings and as a historian I am thinking about how one documents a deluge of
this magnitude."
In the first major book deal related to Katrina, Brinkley is planning "an analysis and
narrative of the ongoing crisis in New Orleans in historical context," according to his
publisher, William Morrow, an imprint of HarperCollins. The book, tentatively titled
"The Great Deluge," is scheduled to be published by Morrow early next year.
Brinkley says he will donate all proceeds to the Historic New Orleans Collection, a
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
S:Katrina Results\Katrina Results Disk 3-
Docs\TalkingPoints~HumananInterest~Aid~Offers~l4Sept05.doc
museum and research center based in the city's French Quarter, where relatively little
damage occurred.
Source: Dnteline Aluhrrma (8- 13-05)
/
Drafted by EMahan, PA/HO and CMcDonald, IIP/T/CP
UNCLASSIFIED
----- -.
-- . .
UNCLASSIFIED
15 September, 2005 (midday)
Baton Rouge, FCO
RELEASED IN FULL
Commodity movements: .
As of September 15, USAID has received 34 commodity flights (1 1 from the UK,3 &om F 1
2 fiom Italy, 2 from Russia, 2 from Spain, 2 fiom Egypt, 2 from Tunisia, 1 fiom China, 2 fi
Thailand, 2 fiom UNICEF, 1 from Israel, 1 from India, 1 from the Czech Republic, 1 fiom
Luxembourg, and 1 fibm Sweden) carrying MlBs, food, generators, school supplies, sheltc
materials, emergency personnel, telecommunications equipment, and assorted emergency.re
commodities. On September 14, USAID facilitated the ground transport of non-perishable
fiom Egypt, Israel, and Thailand, cots and blankets ftom Spain and Israel, and hygiene kits
India to locations in Jackson, MS and Hammond, Hahnville, and Marrero, LA.
I
To date, USAID has transported 86 truckloads of foreign-donated commodities out of Littlt
Rock AFB (61 to Louisiana, 19 to Mississippi, 4 to Arkansas, and 2 to Texas) to distributio
centers run by the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), the Louisiana
Emergency Management Agency (LEMA), the Louisiana National Guard, and other local
organizations. !
NATO continues to airlift commodities donated by European nations fiom Ramstein Base,
Germany to LittIe Rock AFB. The NATO airlift, which started on September 12, will fly o
NATO cargo plane every other day fiom September 15 through September 23.
Two flights carrying international goods are expected at Little Rock today, inchding 16 tor
Russian bandages and a NATO flight of tarps, plastic sheeting, and camp beds fiom Aushi;
blankets, camp beds, first aid kits, and soap from Slovakia. A flight of tarps, diapers, and
1
1
cleaning items are expected to arrive in Dallas, TX and there may be diapers, bandages, anc 1
blankets from Chile arriving in Miami.
USAID field staff in Louisiana and Mississippi are visiting distribution sites where a varie:
international goods are being distributed (further information to follow a s it becomes availa

.&a
e.gg,P.
UNCLASSIFIED
Secretarv's Foreign Assistance Talking Points for 9/16/05
countries and 16 internationa1 organizations have made offers to assist our recovery efforts,
Katrina.
Government emergency response authorities are working to determine what is required most to
work to match the types of materials and expertise that are being offered to mobilize resources in
the most effective way possible.
The work of recovery is moving forward. In nearly all of Mississippi, electricity has been
restored. Trade is starting to return to the Port of New Orleans, and agricultural shipments are
moving down the Mississippi River. Workers have already begun to repair damage to highways
and bridges, and airports in New Orleans and Gulfport have already re-opened. All major
gasoline pipelines are operating, and we have not seen the supply disruptions that many feared.

The United Arab Emirates has pledged $100 million.
Brunei donated $1 million.
Iraq has pledged $1 million to the Red Cross, via the Red Crescent.
Mauritania donated $200,000 to the Red Cross.
Cross and other relief organizations. One such individual in Japan donated $1 million
fiom his personal h d s to Katrina Relief.
many foreign nationals are also missing andlor displaced in the aftermath of this tragedy. We are
time of need, we are deeply touched by the response of people from every comer of the world.
Drafted: IIP, TBullock

Cleared: TF 1, KAguilar


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, Managing Foreign Financial Contributions

for Hurricane Katrina Recovery

Background and Purpose

A number of foreign governments and other entities have offered financial

1. U.S. Federal Government special account, potentially located in FEMA;

- m a t e v e r mechanism is used for foreign donations must be beyond reproach in

- Any mechanism used should not require time-consuming legislation to

- Many donor governments have already donated directly to charities,

- A disadvantage of statellocal accounts is that the federal level, possibly in

- For a formal multi-donor trust fund, there is a de minimus level for

Attachment A provides an overview of considerations relating to the four options

Attachment B summarizes the experience with trust fund mechanisms managed by

Easily integrated with

reconstruction, and very

Overview of Trust Funds

World Bank Lessons I,earned2

- It is important to avoid a fragmentation of finding vehicles between the

- While time is of the essences for aid interventions, no compromise can be

Managing Foreign Financial Contributions

Background and Purpose

A number of foreign governments and other entities have offered financial

1. U.S. Federal Government special account, potentially located in FEMA;

- Whatever mechanism is used for foreign donations must be beyond reproach in

- Because many will likely scrutinize the speed of disbursement of foreign

- Any mechanism used should not require time-consuming legislation to

- Many donor governments have already donated directly to charities,

- A disadvantage of state/local accounts is that the federal level, possibly in

- For a formal multi-donor trust hnd, there is a de minimus level'for

Attachment A provides an overview of considerations relating to the four options

Attachment B summarizes the experience with trust fund mechanisms managed by

Transparency and Legislative

Overview of Trust Funds

World Bank Lessons ~ e a r n e d ~

- Trust h d s allow donors without an aid presence on the ground to assist

Salvatore Schiavo-Campo, Financing and Aid Management Arrangements in Post-Conflict

workable interface with the local aid management agency, transparency in

- It is important to avoid a fragmentation of funding vehicles between the

- While time is of the essences for aid interventions, no compromise can be

MRE (2).doc (36

From: Norman, Afain G

From: Chagnon, Natalie L

PAGE 01 STATE 162270 0211342

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UNCLAS STATE 162270

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STATE PASS USAID/OFDA

DHS FOR FEMA/OZA

I. This message contains an immediate action request in

2. At 0700 EDT on September 2, the Executive Secretary

OFFERS OF ASSISTANCE FROM FOREIGN GOVERNMENTS

-- We are grateful for your generous offer and we accept

-- U.S. agencies are still evaluating the situation to

-- We will advise you as soon as we can on whether and how

In those countries that have not yet made specific offers,

4. Addressees should convey all offers of assistance to

5. Missions are authorized to open condolence books if

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TASK FORCE CONTACT INFORMATION

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