At an emergency conference in Jakarta yesterday, Secretary General of the UN, Kofi Annan, urged countries to quickly deliver the money they have promised for tsunami relief. Specifically, he asked for one quarter of the money be delivered in the next sixth months.

It is estimated that the aid efforts of the next six months will cost $977 million.

While over $4 billion has been pledged, much of the money is to come in the form of reconstruction loans within the next five years. It is estimated that the aid efforts of the next six months will cost $977 million. This includes $229 million for food and agricultural assistance, $222 million for shelter and other urgent items and $122 million for health care.

"I am launching an appeal for the immediate international relief effort which the United Nations is undertaking in Indonesia, the Maldives, Sri Lanka, the Seychelles and Somalia," Annan said. "This initial appeal is in addition to the $59 million which our partners in the Red Cross and Red Crescent have asked for."

There is concern all of the money might not be delivered.

There is concern all of the money might not be delivered. Commonly in major disasters money is initially pledged while the issue can garner attention, but many of the pledges are never paid in full.

Annan has offered to go above and beyond in the collection of this money by making a personal offer. Until the UN is ready to distribute the $977 million dollars, Annan says that, for the sake of convenience, he is willing to hold the money in his personal checking account. This will also make transfer of funds easier, as Kofi can accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express and PayPal payments.

posted by NewsBlog 5000  # Friday, January 07, 2005