Straw confirms Britons still missing
Almost one hundred Britons remain unaccounted for in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in the US, the foreign secretary said today.
Jack Straw confirmed that 96 people were still missing, although he insisted that did not mean they were among the casualties.
“We’re doing everything we can to assist relatives and friends of these people to ascertain the news,” he told BBC News 24.
“We don’t by definition know what has happened to these 96 people and many of them may fortunately be safe and well.”
He added: “It is an uncertain situation and it’s extremely worrying for people. We’re working very hard to help.”
The Ministry of Defence this morning began flying out 500,000 military ration packs to the US to help with the relief effort. The government is also coordinating the sending of blankets and camp beds and other supplies from other member states.
As many as 10,000 people are believed to have been killed by the storm and the floods that ensued, while up to a million people in the states of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama have been made homeless.
Today engineers began pumping water from New Orleans, the majority of which lies under water, after repairing part of the city’s flood defences.
Attention is now being turned to the political future of US president George Bush, who has come under fire for the perceived delay in getting federal aid to the worst affected areas.
He has been particularly criticised for his failure to rapidly evacuate the tens of thousands of people trapped in New Orleans, with some claiming that many died needlessly because help did not get to them quickly enough.
Speaking to victims yesterday in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Mr Bush said: “There’s a lot of work to be done. This country is going to be committed to doing what it takes to help people get back on their feet.”
Addressing emergency officials gathered in Poplarville, he added: “I understand. I understand the damage. I understand the devastation, I understand the destruction, I understand how long it’s going to take. And we’re with you. That’s what I want you to know.”
