The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release October 1, 1993

       PRESIDENT DIRECTS U.S. TO RUSH EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE
                 TO INDIA'S EARTHQUAKE VICTIMS 

     President Clinton today directed the Department of Defense 

and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to begin providing humanitarian assistance to earthquake victims in India. In addition, he has asked Ambassador Raymond Flynn to lead the relief mission.

"The people of the United States are shocked and saddened by the devastating earthquake that has taken thousands of lives and left thousands more homeless," the President said. "I have directed our government to take immediate action to help ease the suffering. I have also asked Ambassador Ray Flynn to accompany the supplies, to assess the situation and report back to me."

An initial U.S. contribution of $25,000 has been made to the Prime Minister of India's National Earthquake Relief Fund to assist with the emergency efforts already underway by the Government of India.

A U.S. military C-5A aircraft will leave Dover Air Force on Saturday, October 2, loaded with more than 18,000 water jugs, 950 tents and 2.6 million square feet of shelter material to be used to construct temporary housing for the thousands homeless.

Plans are underway for a second C-5A to deliver additional materials and medical supplies. Transportation costs and relief supplies are valued at more than $3 million.

For those interested in making donations to India's earthquake relief effort please contact Volunteers in Technical Assistance (VITA) at (703)276-1914.

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