World Response

[GypsySorcerer]

US accepts UN hurricane aid
17 minutes ago

UNITED NATIONS (AFP) - The United States has accepted an offer of UN assistance following the Hurricane Katrina disaster which has devastated New Orleans and other communities along the US Gulf coast, a UN spokesman said.

He said in a statement that a UN Coordination team is in Washington "consulting with government officials on how best the UN can complement the United States own emergency efforts.

The team is working at the newly established USAID Hurricane Katrina Operations Center, where offers of international assistance are being coordinated.

"The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the World Food Program, the World Health Organization, UNICEF and the High Commissioner for Refugees are ready to provide emergency staff and a wide variety of relief supplies as and when necessary," said the statement.

Dozens of countries around the world, from allies like Britain, to longtime US adversaries such as Cuba and Venezuela, have offered support in the hurricane relief effort.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20050904...usweatheraidun