US embassy cable - 05THEHAGUE3032

UNCLAS THE HAGUE 003032 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR EUR/UBI/REITER 
USEU FOR LERNER 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: EAID, PREL, NL, EHUM 
SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS/PAKISTAN: GONL PLEDGES ANOTHER 5 
MILLION EUROS 
 
 
1.  Econoff met with Joost Andriessen (Humanitarian Affairs 
Director, MFA) at the first available opportunity on November 
7 to get an update on Dutch contributions to earthquake 
relief and inform him of U.S. efforts. 
 
2.  Andriessen said the GONL had pledged a second 5 million 
euro (USD 6 million) tranche for the education of 
child-survivors, raising total Dutch contributions to 28 
million euros (USD 33.6 million).  Dutch humanitarian relief 
has been pledged as follows: 
 
(in millions of euros; 1 Euro=USD 1.20) 
UN Agencies                    16.5 
Red Cross                       2.5 
Local and International NGOs    4.0 
Search and Rescue Team          1.0 
Army Field Hospital             3.5 
500 10-Person Tents             0.5 
 
3.  Andriessen said he shared U.S. concerns at how little 
money had been raised worldwide.  He speculated many 
governments' budgets were probably depleted due to the Asian 
tsunami and the end of the budget year.  Andriessen said his 
 
SIPDIS 
ministry was still searching its year-end budget for more 
money (Note: the Dutch fiscal year runs from January to 
December).  Andriessen thought the proposed November 
reconstruction conference should be postponed at least until 
mid-December to allow more time for an accurate needs 
assessment and to give governments time to prepare pledges. 
Development Minister Agnes van Ardenne intends to visit 
affected areas in mid-December.  Given the GONL budget 
process, he said it was unlikely the GONL could pledge 
reconstruction assistance before then. 
BLAKEMAN