VZCZCXYZ0023
PP RUEHWEB
DE RUEHKU #0090 0321232
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 011232Z FEB 10
FM AMEMBASSY KUWAIT
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4513
INFO RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHPU/AMEMBASSY PORT AU PRINCE PRIORITY 0007
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY
UNCLAS KUWAIT 000090
SIPDIS
NEA/ARP, USAID/W, DCHA/OFDA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID ECON PREF PREL YM KU
SUBJECT: RED CRESCENT TO SEND 1,500 TENTS TO HAITI - TOTAL
AID INCREASED TO $3.5 MILLION
REF: A. KUWAIT 79
B. KUWAIT 35
1. (U) Kuwait Red Crescent Society (KRCS) President Barges
Al-Barges told emboffs January 30 that Kuwait had pledged a
total of USD 3.5 million, KRCS had already sent USD one
million to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red
Crescent (IFRC), spent an additional USD 330,000 to purchase
in-kind emergency relief supplies as agreed upon by the IFRC,
and that disbursement of the remaining funds is under review
"to ensure the funds go to the best effort". Emboffs thanked
the Kuwaiti government, and the KCRS, for their contributions
to Haiti relief. (ref a).
2. (U) Al-Barges sought clarification as to whether U.S.
military airlift would be available to transport Kuwaiti
tents to Haiti as had originally been requested by Health
Minister Al-Sayer January 18. (ref b). Econoff explained the
logistical challenges involved, noted that clearance was
still pending, and suggested that if KCRS could arrange
transport itself it should do so to avoid further delay.
3. (U) Red Crescent Humanitarian Assistance coordinator
Yousef Al-Merag confirmed to Econoff February 1 press
accounts that day indicating that KCRS had dispatched an
aircraft carrying 750 tents for Haiti. Al-Merag said the
Amir had provided an aircraft from the Amiri fleet (likely
his personal 747, which is not cargo configured) to move two
separate shipments of 750 tents each (1500 total) immediately
to Haiti via the Dominican Republic. Al-Merag was open to
the possibility of providing further tents should U.S.
military assets be made available to move them.
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For more reporting from Embassy Kuwait, visit:
visit Kuwait's Classified Website at:
http://www.intelink.sgov.gov/wiki/Portal:Kuwa it
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JONES