US embassy cable - 05KUWAIT4401

UNCLAS KUWAIT 004401 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR NEA/ARPI SWALKER, LONDON FOR LTSOU, ISLAMABAD FOR 
TWILDER 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: AEMR, ASEC, CASC, KFLO, MARR, PREL, AMGT, XD, KU 
SUBJECT: MGXDO1: KUWAIT OFFERS $100M IN EARTHQUAKE 
ASSISTANCE 
 
REF: STATE 187437 
 
1. (U) On October 11, the Council of Ministers (cabinet) 
announced a $100M assistance package for victims of the South 
Asia earthquake.  While the specific disbursal modalities 
remain to be worked out, initial feedback from the GOK 
indicates that the assistance will be split equally between 
the Kuwaiti Red Crescent Society (KRCS) and the Kuwait Fund 
for Arab Economic Development (KFAED). 
 
2.  (U) KRCS is expected to coordinate the disbursal of $50M 
in relief assistance with other international aid 
organizations.  These funds will be in addition to the 
$250,000 KRCS has already contributed through representative 
offices in Islamabad.  KFAED is expected to administer the 
remaining $50M, either through grants or concessional loans 
(to be determined), for infrastructure repair projects in the 
affected areas. 
 
3. (U) Press reports also point to broader support from 
business and Pakistani expatriate associations seeking to 
provide relief assistance.  According to the Kuwait Times 
(English daily), approximately 80 Kuwaiti businesses have 
apparently contacted the Pakistani Embassy on donation 
procedures and 25 local Pakistani organizations have offered 
to assist with the relief effort and have set-up an 
Earthquake Relief Committee, headed by a Pakistani expatriate 
from the Kashmir region.  Also, Pakistani International 
Airlines (PIA) has apparently offered to transport gratis all 
aid cargo from Kuwait. 
 
4. (U) CENTCOM components in Kuwait are already engaged in 
logistic support of relief efforts with materiel now moving 
through U.S. military facilities in country to affected 
areas.  Post is in direct contact with CENTCOM and will 
facilitate any GOK requests for assistance in delivery of 
relief supplies.  Post will continue to monitor and report on 
these and other further developments. 
 
LEBARON