WASHINGTON, DC - Andrew Natsios, Administrator for the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), today detailed relief and reconstruction progress six months after the South Asian tsunami devastated the region.

"Six months after one of the worst natural disasters in history, U.S. relief efforts have staved off secondary humanitarian tragedies of disease and starvation. Now, as the U.S. responds with a second phase of assistance we are focused on rebuilding infrastructure, restarting economies and putting shattered lives back together," said Administrator Natsios.

In a press conference from the U.S. Department of State alongside Tsunami Reconstruction Task Force Ambassador Doug Hartwick, Natsios detailed progress in the affected nations and future U.S. efforts that will use the $656 million authorized by President Bush and Congress in the May 2005 emergency supplemental appropriation. Altogether, U.S. government spending on tsunami relief and reconstruction efforts (military and civil) will total $901 million.

Current and future U.S. plans include massive infrastructure reconstruction of hundreds of destroyed bridges, roads and schools; vocational training for displaced workers, farmers, fishermen and those in the tourism industry; and assistance in fighting corruption by implementing high standards of transparency throughout local government programming.

To jumpstart local economies, the U.S. government will be extending cash-for-work programs begun under the relief phase immediately following the tsunami. The U.S. government will also provide grants, vouchers, and credit to assist firms in replacing assets and reestablishing their businesses.

To rebuild infrastructure, the U.S. government will assist with critical reconstruction projects such as the Banda Aceh/Meulaboh road in Indonesia and the bridge spanning the mouth of the Arugam Bay in Sri Lanka. Other efforts will improve drinking water supplies in coastal towns.

For a transcript of the briefing please visit http://www.usaid.gov/press/speeches/2005/sp050623.html.

A fact sheet is available with more information on U.S. government efforts at http://www.usaid.gov/press/factsheets/2005/fs050623.html.

For more information on USA Freedom Corps' Tsunami Relief efforts, please click here.

###