U.S. Declares Emergency in Maldives, Donates Health and Sanitation Funds
COLOMBO, May 23, 2007: The United States is providing 1.3 million Maldivian rufiyaa for immediate health and sanitation assistance to the Republic of Maldives following the devastating impact of storm surges that combined unusually high waves with strong winds, flooding nearly 80 of the 194 inhabited islands. This flooding is the second most widespread on record, after the December 2004 tsunami, according to the Government of the Maldives.
Responding to a request from the Government of Maldives, U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka and the Maldives Robert Blake authorized this immediate relief.
“The low-lying Maldivian islands are particularly susceptible to flooding,” Ambassador Blake said. “Fortunately, these types of situations occur rarely, but when they do, the United States is pleased and prepared to assist.”
The donation from USAID’s Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance, equivalent to US $100,000, will go to the U.N. Children’s Fund (UNICEF) for emergency water and sanitation services for affected populations.