Who is Funding the Relief/Recovery Effort?

This is a memorable picture of Nicaragua's President Ortega greeting U.S. military officials and thanking them for the support of the relief efforts.

According to the International Herald-Tribune on September 6, Nicaragua estimates it will need at least US$30 million in recovery aid after Hurricane Felix.

United States Government

Here is a September 8 press release from the U.S. Southern Command which has delivered more than 75,000 pounds of emergency aid.

David Adams has an interesting piece on the St. Petersburg Times website about the U.S. effort, noting, "U.S. officials say the American response was already on the move before Felix hit. Before hurricane season, U.S. aid officials say they had prepositioned about $45,000 in emergency relief supplies such as hygiene kits and kitchen sets with the Nicaraguan Red Cross. In addition, the State Department had $1.5-million of emergency relief supplies ready to go in Miami."

A September 11 USAID press release noted that "USAID airlifted five planeloads of emergency relief commodities to the city of Puerto Cabezas, to help meet priority needs identified by the Nicaraguan government. The USAID commodities included 820 rolls of plastic sheeting, 3,875 blankets, 1,000 five-gallon water jugs, 3,552 family hygiene kits, as well as other emergency relief supplies."

The following is from a Sept. 7 USAID press release:

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) will provide, with disaster funding and material support, a total contribution of $1.04 million to Nicaragua in the aftermath of Hurricane Felix to date.
On September 7, USAID provided an additional $200,000 in disaster funding to Nicaragua to support immediate relief efforts in the affected areas. USAID is also providing $300,000 to the Pan American Health Organization for emergency medical activities in Nicaragua.
Additionally, USAID is airlifting more emergency relief commodities to Puerto Cabezas, Nicaragua, to help meet priority needs identified by the Nicaraguan government. Identical to USAID's first shipment which arrived yesterday, the second shipment of commodities which arrived September 7th contains 120 rolls of plastic sheeting used for temporary shelters, 1,500 blankets, and 1,536 family hygiene kits. The total value of these commodities, including transportation, is $99,291.
The third and fourth airlifts, containing an additional 360 rolls of plastic sheeting and other essential commodities, will arrive in Nicaragua in the coming days. The total value of these two shipments, including transport, is $170,980.
In response to the Government of Nicaragua's request for international assistance on September 4, USAID immediately provided $150,000 to support relief efforts in addition to the $25,000 for preparedness provided prior to Felix's landfall. As a preparedness measure prior to hurricane season, approximately $45,000 in emergency relief supplies, such as hygiene kits and kitchen sets, was pre-positioned with the Nicaraguan Red Cross. These supplies are now being utilized in the affected areas.
A USAID assessment team is in Puerto Cabezas conducting on-the-ground damage and needs assessments and facilitating the distribution of commodities. Access to the affected areas is challenging. Local officials, USAID and nongovernmental organizations are coordinating efforts to quickly distribute commodities to those in need. (From a USAID press release dated Sept. 7)

Inter-American Development Bank
The Inter-American Development Bank (I.D.B.) announced September 10 a donation of $700,000 in aid of emergency for the population damaged by the hurricane Felix in the RAAN of Nicaragua, acording to El Nuevo Diario.

European Commission
Sending US$1.4 million for food, fresh water and medical supplies.

Venezualen Government
A Venezuelan Air Force plane landed on September 6 in Managua with 12 tons of supplies for the estimated 50,000 people affected this week by Hurricane Felix as it tore through the country. The C-130 plane contained drinking water, food, medicine, tools, blankets, tents and hammocks. Venezuela sent Cuban doctors and experts in damage evaluation.