1. The government of the Republic of Korea will provide humanitarian aid worth US$2 million through the American Red Cross to the US, where hurricanes Harvey and Irma that struck Texas and Florida have caused massive damage.

o Hurricane Harvey has left 60 people dead, 40,000 houses under water, and 200,000 houses affected in the US state of Texas and other affected areas. It is estimated to have caused US$180 billion in economic damage, with 50 percent of oil refining facilities having stopped operation.

o Hurricane Irma has left 36 people killed and 45 million affected in Florida and other affected areas, causing an estimated US$172 billion in economic damage.

o For reference, about 85,000 Koreans are living in the areas struck by hurricanes Harvey and Irma.

2. The American Red Cross is carrying out large-scale relief activities in close cooperation with the US Federal Emergency Management Agency and the state governments. The assistance from the ROK is expected to help quickly bring stability to the lives of the people affected by the hurricanes, and restore the affected regions.

o President Moon Jae-in said that the ROK will join the US’s efforts to recover from the damage in his phone conversation with US President Trump and the telegram of condolence he sent to President Trump on September 1.

3. The ROK government, as a responsible middle-power country in the international community, will continue to expand humanitarian assistance to join the efforts of natural disaster-affected countries and their people to recover from damage.


* unofficial translation