[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1999, Book I)]
[January 27, 1999]
[Page 115]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Statement on Assistance to Colombia in the Aftermath of the Earthquake
January 27, 1999

    On behalf of all the people of the United States, I want to express 
our deepest sympathies to the people of Colombia who have lost loved 
ones or suffered injuries in Monday's devastating earthquake. It appears 
that more than 1,000 people were killed and more than 3,000 were 
injured. Entire neighborhoods lie in ruins, leaving many homeless.
    I have spoken by telephone to President Pastrana and assured him that the United States will do its 
part to support relief and recovery. Already, a 62-member U.S. search 
and rescue team has arrived in Colombia, at the request of the Colombian 
Government, to help find and assist survivors. Today we are making 
available through USAID $2 million for immediate disaster relief, 
including airlifts of blankets and shelter materials and other emergency 
needs identified by our two Governments. We will deploy a new team of 
technical advisers to bolster Colombia's rescue efforts. And with the 
strong support of the United States, the Inter-American Development Bank 
has already pledged $10 million for rebuilding.
    We will stay in close contact with the Colombian Government to 
determine how else we can help. As with the response to Hurricane Mitch 
in Central America, I know the people of the United States will want to 
assist in the wake of this tragedy. I say to Colombians what I said to 
Central Americans: Ayudaremos a nuestros hermanos--we will help our 
brothers and sisters. It is the right thing to do, and it supports our 
interest in a stable, democratic, and prosperous hemisphere.
    As I said in October when President Pastrana visited the White House, his Presidency represents a 
new beginning for Colombia, a new opportunity that Monday's tragedy 
cannot and must not undermine. We will continue to work closely with him 
as he leads Colombia toward a more peaceful and prosperous future.