State Department defends U.S. aid for tsunami victims

The State Department on Thursday defended the U.S. government's effort to help earthquake and tsunami victims in Southeast Asia and said more assistance will be coming. Nearly 120,000 people are estimated to have been killed by the earthquake and tidal waves that struck eight countries in Southeast Asia on Sunday. Officials worry, however, that the death toll will climb higher due to diseases that could spread in the aftermath and a lack of drinking water. The U.S. government has pledged $35 million in relief assistance. Total aid so far from the international community is estimated at $250 million, with Spain the most generous by offering $60 million. Some have criticized the U.S. government, however, for not reacting faster and doing more. Indeed, Florida received more than $3 billion in federal and state disaster aid for damage caused by Hurricanes Charley, Frances, Ivan and Jeanne, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Those hurricanes caused 760 deaths.Secretary of State Colin Powell visited the Washington embassies of some of the hardest-hit countries Thursday and pledged that more U.S. assistance is on its way. "We are mobilizing all our assets to help. As you know, we made an initial infusion of money-some $35 million-but we know that this is just the beginning of a much greater need and much more significant commitment from the United States," Powell said outside of the Indonesian Embassy. "This is an unprecedented tragedy. In my many years of government, I've never come across one this large." The State Department has established a task force to coordinate relief efforts, headed by Marc Grossman, undersecretary of state for political affairs. "Everyone else in the United States government who has a role to play is being pulled together in the task force," Powell said. "We're working very well together, and you will see a significant step-up in the flow of aid." Powell said U.S. disaster assistance teams have been dispatched to Southeast Asia to make assessments. "There's nothing worse than sending resources to the wrong place," he added. "It costs money to move equipment, to move supplies. We want to make sure we're moving these things to the right place, and it takes a little bit of time." State Department spokesman Richard Boucher rebuffed criticism that the U.S. government is not doing enough in response to the tsunamis. "The immediate response to this is massive, and it will become even bigger," he said. Boucher said the United Nations estimates that an additional $250 million in private donations is being provided to the region. President Bush on Wednesday also announced that the United States is forming a coalition with India, Japan and Australia to coordinate relief efforts. Boucher added that the Defense Department is providing assistance that is difficult to quantify. The Pentagon deployed the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group and the USS Bonhomme Richard Expeditionary Strike Group to the region. U.S. Pacific Command has set up a command center at Utapao, Thailand, where service members have established a joint task force to coordinate U.S. relief efforts. U.S. Air Force C-130s and KC-135s from Japan and Guam also are being dispatched to ferry aid into and around the area, according to the American Forces Information Service. And the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Force has sent humanitarian assistance assessment teams to the region. "There's an awful lot being done with military assets," Boucher said.