International Development Minister Hilde F. Johnson has so far made a total of NOK 50 million available for humanitarian assistance to the areas affected by the disaster.

The money will be channelled through the UN system, the Red Cross system and NGOs, and will be used to purchase basic necessities, medicines, food, clean water and shelter. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is making the specific allocations in close consultation with the UN (OCHA), NGOs and Norwegian embassies in the region. OCHA will be flying Norwegian relief supplies from the UN Humanitarian Response Depot in Brindisi to Sri Lanka and the Maldives, and the Norwegian Red Cross is sending a separate consignment of water containers, tents and medical supplies to Sri Lanka. Funds are also being channeled through the Norwegian development aid organisations working in Sri Lanka. Owing to our involvement in the peace process in Sri Lanka, and our contacts with Tamil organisations, we are also in a position to contribute to the local relief efforts in the LTTEcontrolled areas in the north and east of the country.

“We will consider providing further support to the victims, including those in Somalia and other parts of East Africa, in response to requests,” said the Minister.

Press contact: Head of Information Espen Gullikstad, mobile phone: 91 70 81 22