Hurricane Katrina has devastated New Orleans and other parts of the U.S. Gulf Coast, killing hundreds of people and possibly thousands, and drawing pledges of support from all over the world.
The State Department said by early Friday local time, 44 nations and international organizations had offered help, ranging from medical teams and tents to cash donations.
These included offers from Australia, Belgium, Britain, Canada, China, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, France, Germany, Greece, Honduras, Israel, Jamaica, Japan, Mexico, the Netherlands, Russia, South Korea, Switzerland, the United Arab Emirates, Venezuela, NATO and the Organization of American States.
A State Department official said a needs assessment was being done and it would probably become clearer today which offers would be accepted.
The United Nations has offered to help coordinate international relief. Following is a detailed list of aid offered by governments.
EUROPE:
EUROPEAN UNION: Offered to send experts but there has been no request for assistance, the European Commission said. EU countries are ready to give the United States oil if it requests help, EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana said on Friday. But British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said this was not what the EU had in mind when it discussed how to help.
FRANCE: Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin said France was ready to offer support, telling TF1 television: "We have rescue teams based in the Caribbean and we are naturally ready to provide aid to the Americans, and that is what we have told them."
GERMANY: Has offered mobile units to provide clean water, military hospital facilities and medical aid.
IRELAND: A Department of Foreign Affairs spokeswoman said: "We have been contacted by the families of about 40 people in the affected area but that wouldn't be a comprehensive figure because there may be others who have not yet been in touch". New Orleans is home to many Irish Americans and nationals who have a big business presence in the city.
ITALY: Has offered to "immediately" send aid and evacuation specialists, Italy's civil protection unit said. Authorities have prepared two military transport planes to fly amphibious vessels, pumps, generators, tents and personnel to New Orleans and other areas. They were awaiting word from U.S. officials, the unit said.
LUXEMBOURG: Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn, in a veiled criticism of the handling by U.S. authorities of the hurricane, said the disaster showed the need for a strong state that could help poor people. "You see in this example that even in the 21st century you need the state, a good functioning state, and I hope that for all these people, these poor people, that the Americans will do their best," he told reporters at an EU foreign ministers meeting in Newport, Wales.
RUSSIA: Has offered to help with rescue efforts, but is still awaiting a reply from Washington. "From the first day of the tragedy we offered our help to the U.S. government. Above all with heavy transport planes, which can be loaded with helicopters and generators -- as there is no electricity in the area of the catastrophe," Defence Minister Sergei Ivanov told reporters on Friday.
SPAIN: Expects to receive a formal request on Friday to release gasoline stocks to the United States and is prepared to grant it, an Industry Ministry spokesman said.
SWEDEN: The Rescue Authority said on Friday it was on stand-by to supply water purifying equipment, healthcare supplies and emergency shelters if needed, but had not yet received a request. "We must know if they need such things, but it doesn't seem to be clear what is needed," said Rescue Authority spokesman Mats Oscarsson. Four Swedes were missing in the New Orleans area, the Foreign Ministry said.
ASIA
AUSTRALIA: "We're going to provide A$10 million and the bulk of that money, if not all of it, will go to the American Red Cross," said Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer. "I know you can make the argument that America is a well off country, the world's biggest economy, but remember their non-government organisations depend on donations from private citizens in America to provide the relief efforts." The Australian government said there may be up to 24 Australians trapped in Louisiana in the aftermath of Katrina.
JAPAN: Will provide $200,000 to the American Red Cross to assist victims of Hurricane Katrina, the Japanese Foreign Ministry said on Friday. Japan will also identify needs in affected regions via the U.S. government and will provide up to $300,000 in emergency supplies such as tents, blankets and power generators if it receives requests for such assistance, the ministry said.
SINGAPORE: The Singapore Armed Forces, responding to requests by the United States Texas Army National Guard, has sent three Chinook helicopters to Fort Polk, Louisiana, to help in relief efforts. The government said the Chinooks will help to ferry supplies and undertake airlift missions.
SOUTH KOREA: Has pledged aid and is waiting for a U.S. response, a government official said. "We have sent our intention to offer recovery aid," a Foreign Ministry official said on Friday.
SRI LANKA: Donating $25,000 to the American Red Cross.
AMERICAS
CANADA: offered to help in any way it can and the navy is preparing a ship full of emergency disaster relief supplies to be sent when a request comes.
VENEZUELA: President Hugo Chavez, a vocal critic of the United States, offered to send cheap fuel, humanitarian aid and relief workers to the disaster area.
Jay-Z and Diddy have pledged $1 million to the American Red Cross to help victims of Hurricane Katrina.
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