International response to Hurricane Katrina

Many countries and international organizations offered the United States relief aid in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. According to the European Commission, six days after the disaster, on September 4, 2005, the United States officially asked the European Union for emergency help, asking for blankets, emergency medical kits, water and 500,000 food rations for victims. Help proposed by EU member states was coordinated through their crisis center. The British presidency of the EU functioned as contact with the U.S. Other countries not on this list also offered aid, but the State Department mentioned that they (the State Department) had not been asked. Later, the U.S. State Department said all offers were being examined. Below is a list of countries who offered aid. Some of these efforts were not formally accepted by the U.S. government (see "Actual Funds Used" below). In late August 2005, Hurricane Katrina struck the southeastern portion of the contiguous United States, causing severe damage and destruction in several U.S. states and killing more than a thousand people. Donated $100,000 to the hurricane victims. Donated$308,000. Made offers of help and assistance. Argentina also dispatched an elite team of bilingual mental health professionals. Pledged $200,000 and made offers of help and assistance. A$10 million (approximately US$7.5 million). Donated$20 million to the American Red Cross. 140 specialists of the AFDRU were put on stand-by. Their focus was to have been on providing clean water with portable water-treatment plants. Within the EU Emergency Assistance for Katrina, Austria set up a communication network using IT and communication equipment for assistance/support, provided 10 sets petrol driven dirty water pumps, 500 pieces tarps/plastic sheeting and 300 camp beds. Donated $500,000. Pledged$50,000. Donated $5 million. Donated$1 million and offered rescuers. Offered medical assistance Offered 3 medical teams of 31 personnel, logistic team of 10 personnel, coordination team of 4 personnel, civil engineering team of 10 personnel, diving team, and also balloon-lamps, low and high capacity pumps and small generators.