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I have directed the Secretary of Defense to
provide appropriate disaster assistance to the
Government of Japan in response to the devastating
earthquake of January 17, 1995. As required by
section 404 of title 10, United States Code, I am
notifying the Congress that the United States
commence disaster relief operations on January 18,
1995, at 11:06 p.m., eastern standard time. To date,
the U.S. military has provided 37,000 blankets. In
addition, the following information is provided:
Disaster relief assistance is being
provided in response to an earthquake
affecting Kobe and Osaka, Japan.
Reports indicate at least 3,100 people have
died, nearly 900 are missing, over 16,000
are injured, and an estimated 240,000 are
homeless. The destruction of basic
physical infrastructure poses a threat to
the lives of the survivors.
Currently, U.S. military involvement has
been limited to 15 U.S. Air Force C-130
Hercules sorties. Further requests
for U.S. military assistance in the form
of transportation, supplies, services, and
equipment are unknown at this time.
Switzerland is providing search and rescue
dog teams. Assistance by other countries
is unknown.
Anticipated duration of disaster assistance
activities is unknown.