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Australia to provide $4.5M in Chile quake aid

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-03-02 09:37
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CANBERRA - Australia will provide A$5 million ($4.5 million) of aid to Chile after it was hit by a powerful earthquake.

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Foreign Affairs Minister Stephen Smith on Tuesday said the government would provide A$1 million ($0.9 million) in emergency assistance funding, following a request by the Chilean ambassador.

Australia will donate supplies including portable generators to communities affected by Saturday's massive quake.

The government will also make an initial contribution of A$4 million ($3.6 million) in reconstruction assistance, after a detailed needs assessment was carried out.

"We will coordinate our efforts with the Chilean authorities, the United Nations and other Latin American countries," Smith said in a statement.

He expressed Australia's condolences for the loss of life and devastation caused by the disaster to his Chilean counterpart Mariano Fernandez.
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