Sections:

Frequently Asked Questions on Indian Ocean tsunami aid effort

Scene of destruction in Sri Lanka after the tsunami struck

Image courtesy of United Nations Development Programme

1. How much aid is the UK giving?

The UK Government has committed £75 million directly. The Prime Minister also stated that the External link UK's aid package will top £200m. To date (07/01/05), the British public has already contributed £100m.

2. So you've committed £75 million. But haven't there been reports in the press that pledged money does not always materalise - like the Bam earthquake?

It's true that Kofi Annan recently expressed 'concern' about a past trend of rich nations not coming through with money pledged.

However, when Britain pledged £3.7m for the Bam earthquake disaster, the money was distributed as promised (apart from an allocation of £450,000 to the Red Cross, which in the end was gathered from other contributions).

Britain has a very good record in redeeming pledges, and it's likely that we'll give far more than £50m in this case.

External link UK is fourth largest donor of International Development Assistance

3. Is that £75m 'new' money or is it being diverted from aid programmes in other developing countries? With Iraq and now South Asia needing long-term help, what about Africa?

This is new money. None of the money is being diverted from other aid programmes in Darfur or elsewhere - the Government's commitment to Africa hasn't changed.

In fact, Gordon Brown reiterated on 6 January External link his determination to make Africa a priority in 2005 (full speech on Treasury website)

4. The Government only gave 0.5 million at first, then £15 million - why didn't it give £75 million right away? Surely it's only reacting to public pressure and embarrassed by the huge success of the DEC (Disasters Emergency Committee) appeal?

Government has always been clear that it will provide the resources needed.

We have responded to updates on the situation as the scale of the situation has become clear. A disaster of this magnitude means that it's not immediately obvious what response is needed. We've moved as quickly as we can and have increased the scale of our aid as more has become known.

DFID had distributed £1 million worth of aid, including the dispatch of an aircraft carrying supplies within 24 hours. Also, the generous contributions made by the British public and charities have been recognised at every level in Government.
External link John Prescott: UK response was quickest possible

5. What is the UK doing to ease the debt burden of countries affected by disaster and poverty?

Hilary Benn has already announced that Sri Lanka is to be made eligible for debt relief. The UK has already signed up to provide deeper and wider debt relief for poor countries - a part of DFID's funding already had been earmarked solely for debt relief.
External link Gordon Brown pushes tsunami debt relief

6. Sri Lanka - is aid being distributed evenly across the country?

DFID allocates funds on the basis of humanitarian need alone.

In Sri Lanka, a key consideration is whether aid can be provided to both northern and southern parts of the country, both of which have been affected by the tsunami.

So for example, we've allocated funding to External link Save the Children who have offices in both parts of the country and have the logistical strength to ensure aid can be moved to where it is needed most.

7. How are we using UK armed forces to help?

The Armed Forces are providing support to the disaster relief efforts which are being coordinated by the External link Foreign & Commonwealth Office and DFID.

The Royal Fleet Auxiliary, the frigate HMS Chatham and Royal Navy Engineers have been deployed into the disaster zone. For more details, visit the External link MOD Operation Garron website.

8. How can I go about locating missing relatives and friends?

Try the following websites - you should be aware that some are encountering heavy traffic, so prepare to be patient.

DFID Department for International Development