US embassy cable - 05ASUNCION1139

UNCLAS ASUNCION 001139 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR TFUS01, WHA/BSC 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: AEMR, EAID, PREL, US, PA 
SUBJECT: TFUS01: PARAGUAY OFFERS ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE FOR 
HURRICANE KATRINA RELIEF 
 
REF: A. ASUNCION 1110 
     B. STATE 162226 
     C. ASUNCION 1123 
     D. ASUNCION 1129 
 
1. On 9/8, Post received two additional offers of assistance 
for Hurricane Katrina relief efforts from Paraguayan 
individuals in the private sector: 
 
-- Marie Lopez Espinola, director of local artisans guild, 
has offered to organize a blood drive in coordination with 
the Paraguayan Ministry of Health, the Paraguayan First 
Lady's Foundation, the Red Cross, and the Paraguayan Blood 
Bank.  She is willing to help staff a two-day blood drive to 
assist with Hurricane Katrina relief efforts.  She noted the 
blood could be stored at the Blood Bank, but is asking for 
USG assistance in transporting the blood to the United 
States. She may be reached for further information via phone 
at 011-595-21-506-558 or via her cell phone 
011-595-961-711-363. 
 
-- An American citizen living in Paraguay, Prashant Shah, 
owner of a local clothing manufacture Indopar, has offered to 
donate 2000 shirts and 2000 pants to assist with relief 
efforts in the affected areas. For further information, he 
may be reached on his phone 011-595-21-028-34370 or on his 
cell phone 011-595-981-400-479. 
 
(NOTE:  Post advises there is a MILAIR flight departing 
Paraguay on September 20 that could be used to carry 
donations to the United States.  ODC will advise if there are 
any problems transporting the clothing and the insecticide 
(ref D) donations on the aircraft. Post therefore requests 
that the Task Force advise soonest whether and which of the 
donations Paraguay has offered (including Fire Fighters) 
might be needed for the relief efforts.  END NOTE.) 
 
2.  Post thanked these individuals for their generous offers 
and advised them that as soon as possible Post would inform 
them on how to implement their offers of assistance. 
 
3.  Political Officer, Susan Sutter, is Embassy Asuncion's 
Point of Contact on this matter.  Her office phone number is 
011-595-21-213-715, Ext. 2286; her cell phone number is 
011-595-971-202-100; her email is sutterss@state.gov. 
KEANE