The Ministry for Foreign Affairs assists the tsunami victims in Japan

Press release 112/2011
29.3.2011

Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Paavo Väyrynen has decided to grant a donation of EUR 500,000 through the Finnish Red Cross for the relief work carried out by the Japanese Red Cross Society. The donation will be used, for instance, for acquisitions of medicines, water, food and supplies needed for daily hygiene.

“Japan is in a state of humanitarian emergency. On my proposal, the Government has authorised the Ministry for Foreign Affairs to use appropriations for humanitarian assistance to help the victims, and, at the request of the Japanese, we have now granted the monetary assistance to the Japanese Red Cross Society to be delivered via the Finnish Red Cross,” Väyrynen stated.

“We keep a close eye on the situation in Japan and we are also in preparedness to grant additional assistance. It depends on Japan’s needs how much assistance will be needed and in which form," the Minister continued.

Cash donations have been granted to the Japanese Red Cross Society, for instance, by the Netherlands, Ireland and Austria. The Japanese Red Cross also acts as the on-site distributor of joint material assistance provided by the European Union.

Humanitarian aid funded from the development co-operation appropriations may be utilised for assisting other than developing countries in an exceptionally massive humanitarian crisis on a separate Government decision.

After the earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan on 11 March, the country is in need of major assistance. More than 250,000 people are still evacuated in over 2,000 evacuation centres.

Additional information: Päivi Nevala, Adviser to the Minister, tel. +358 40 753 4375, and Ulla-Maija Finskas, Director of the Unit for Humanitarian Assistance, tel. +358 9 1605 6225 or +358 40 727 5487