The U.S. made an official request on Sunday 4th September for emergency assistance to deal with the aftermath of the hurricane Katrina. This request was made to the EC Delegation in Washington and the EU Presidency through the US Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and came after several days of informal contacts and preparatory activities between the U.S., the EC Delegation in Washington and the UK Presidency.

The initial needs identified include first aid kits, blankets, water trucks and 500, 000 prepared meals (MREs). Additional needs are being identified and will be communicated to the EU in due course. “We are and have been ready to contribute to the US efforts aimed at alleviating the humanitarian crisis in New Orleans” said EU Commissioner Stavros Dimas.

The European response will be channelled through the European Commission's Civil Protection Mechanism, in close consultation with the UK Presidency. It has been agreed with the Presidency that they would act as the point of contact to the U.S. while the Mechanism would focus on internal coordination, through its Monitoring and Information Centre (MIC) located in DG ENV. The MIC is in contact with Member States and is currently drawing up a preliminary list of materials, teams and equipment based on Member States offers. Thirteen EU Member states have so far offered assistance (Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, The Netherlands, Romania, Sweden and the United Kingdom). The assistance consists of intervention teams of experts in various fields (medical, logistics, communication, search and rescue), equipment (tents/blankets, water purification equipment, water pumps, meals, generators, etc.), and transport. Specialist teams from several Member States are on stand-by and ready for immediate deployment.

The MIC will also nominate a technical coordinator based on proposals received from Member States. The EU's assistance offered will be communicated to the US authorities today.

The latest list of offers is attached. This list will be updated continuously.

• Aftermath of Katrina hurricane: state of play of EU assistance to the US 08/09/05

• EU assistance to the US in the aftermath of the Katrina hurricane 06/09/05

• Update on EU Emergency Assistance for Katrina 05/09/05

• Hurricane Katrina list of offers from countries participating in the EU mechanism  05/09/05

• Committee of the Regions sends message of solidarity to victims of Hurricane Katrina 05/09/05