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05/01/2005
Prime Minister says UK tsunami aid is set to increase
Tony Blair has indicated that the British Government will dramatically increase its aid to the countries affected by the Asian tsunami disaster.
Speaking in an interview with BBC Radio 4's 'Today' programme, the Prime Minister predicted that the Government would eventually give "hundreds of millions" in aid to the countries devastated by the Boxing Day tsunami.
Mr Blair said that of the £50 million already donated by the Government to the Disaster Appeal Committee (DEC), only around seven million pounds had been spent so far. He said that it would become easier over the next few weeks to assess just how much money would actually be needed, but predicted that the Government would need to spend "several hundred million pounds".
The British public have so far donated £76 million to the DEC. Japan is the biggest contributor to the disaster fund so far, with £266 million pledged, followed by the USA with £186 million.
The Prime Minister, who returned from holiday in Egypt on Monday, took charge of the UK's response to the tsunami disaster on Tuesday, chairing a meeting of the emergency committee of ministers that has been meeting daily since Boxing Day.
Foreign Secretary Jack Straw and International Development Secretary, Hilary Benn are both set to visit some of the areas affected by the tsunami disaster this week. Mr Straw will visit Indonesia, where he will represent the G8, at the international conference called in Jakarta, Indonesia on Thursday, and Thailand, where he will visit the beach resort of Phuket.
Mr Benn will visit the Aceh Province in Indonesia, one of the most badly affected areas, as well as Sri Lanka.
On Tuesday the Foreign Office said that 41 Britons were confirmed dead in the Asian Tsunami disaster, and 158 others were missing.
The UK will join the rest of Europe in a three-minute silence today at 12 noon (GMT) to remember the victims of the Boxing Day tsunami.
(KmcA/SP)
Speaking in an interview with BBC Radio 4's 'Today' programme, the Prime Minister predicted that the Government would eventually give "hundreds of millions" in aid to the countries devastated by the Boxing Day tsunami.
Mr Blair said that of the £50 million already donated by the Government to the Disaster Appeal Committee (DEC), only around seven million pounds had been spent so far. He said that it would become easier over the next few weeks to assess just how much money would actually be needed, but predicted that the Government would need to spend "several hundred million pounds".
The British public have so far donated £76 million to the DEC. Japan is the biggest contributor to the disaster fund so far, with £266 million pledged, followed by the USA with £186 million.
The Prime Minister, who returned from holiday in Egypt on Monday, took charge of the UK's response to the tsunami disaster on Tuesday, chairing a meeting of the emergency committee of ministers that has been meeting daily since Boxing Day.
Foreign Secretary Jack Straw and International Development Secretary, Hilary Benn are both set to visit some of the areas affected by the tsunami disaster this week. Mr Straw will visit Indonesia, where he will represent the G8, at the international conference called in Jakarta, Indonesia on Thursday, and Thailand, where he will visit the beach resort of Phuket.
Mr Benn will visit the Aceh Province in Indonesia, one of the most badly affected areas, as well as Sri Lanka.
On Tuesday the Foreign Office said that 41 Britons were confirmed dead in the Asian Tsunami disaster, and 158 others were missing.
The UK will join the rest of Europe in a three-minute silence today at 12 noon (GMT) to remember the victims of the Boxing Day tsunami.
(KmcA/SP)
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11 May 2005
Tsunami victims remembered at St Paul’s service
The Queen and Prime Minister Tony Blair have attended a memorial service at St Paul’s to remember the victims of the Asian Tsunami. Families of the victims and survivors of the disaster, which took place on Boxing Day last year, also attended the service, which was given by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams.
Tsunami victims remembered at St Paul’s service
The Queen and Prime Minister Tony Blair have attended a memorial service at St Paul’s to remember the victims of the Asian Tsunami. Families of the victims and survivors of the disaster, which took place on Boxing Day last year, also attended the service, which was given by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams.
09 March 2005
National memorial service to be held for tsunami victims
The government has announced plans to hold a national memorial service for the UK victims of the Asian tsunami. The service will be held at St Paul's Cathedral in London on May 11.
National memorial service to be held for tsunami victims
The government has announced plans to hold a national memorial service for the UK victims of the Asian tsunami. The service will be held at St Paul's Cathedral in London on May 11.
24 January 2005
VSO appeals for volunteers for tsunami affected regions
International development charity, Voluntary Services Overseas (VSO), have launched an urgent campaign to recruit over 200 volunteers to work in areas affected by the Asian tsunami.
VSO appeals for volunteers for tsunami affected regions
International development charity, Voluntary Services Overseas (VSO), have launched an urgent campaign to recruit over 200 volunteers to work in areas affected by the Asian tsunami.
20 January 2005
British tourist, feared dead in tsunami, returns home
A British tourist has been welcomed home by his family, who feared he had died in the Asian tsunami disaster. Anthony Blake, 70, from Colchester, Essex, had been on holiday in Thailand when the tsunami struck on Boxing Day. His family had feared that he had been killed in the disaster, when he failed to make contact with them.
British tourist, feared dead in tsunami, returns home
A British tourist has been welcomed home by his family, who feared he had died in the Asian tsunami disaster. Anthony Blake, 70, from Colchester, Essex, had been on holiday in Thailand when the tsunami struck on Boxing Day. His family had feared that he had been killed in the disaster, when he failed to make contact with them.
18 January 2005
International disaster reduction conference opens in Kobe
A United Nations conference on disaster reduction has opened in Kobe, Japan, with the subject of a global tsunami early warning system, top of the list of priorities.
International disaster reduction conference opens in Kobe
A United Nations conference on disaster reduction has opened in Kobe, Japan, with the subject of a global tsunami early warning system, top of the list of priorities.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:After a dry start this morning rain will spread from the northwest across all parts. This afternoon will be dull with some patchy rain and drizzle. Becoming much milder through the afternoon. Maximum temperature 11 °C.Tonight:A cloudy evening and night with a little light rain or drizzle, perhaps some clear periods developing along the east coast. A very mild night everywhere. Minimum temperature 10 °C.
