Swedish news breaking with US plead for international relief efforts

[Stockholm]

Kjell Larsson head of Humanitarian Operations Department at The Swedish Rescue Services Agency (Government Civilian Rescue Authority) reveals for Swedish Television that calls for assistance has been received from the US.

Contacts with US authorities are ongoing to establish more in detail what kind of efforts are needed after which preparations will begin momentarily.

[NYC]

1. I hope the Swedish government can help the people

of New Orleans faster than our own government is helping them.

[Stockholm]

2. Update

Translation from http://www.aftonbladet.se/vss/nyheter/story/0,2789,692945,00.html:

Since the US on the Thursday sent a request for foreign aid in and around NO, the Swedish Rescue Service Agency (SRSA) has been in contact with the equivalent European authorities and the US agency OFDA (Office for Foreign Disaster Assistance).

- We are in agreement that the life saving phase is over. Now focus is on securing suitable living conditions for the survivors, Kjell Larsson from SRSA says.

The agency has through the Swedish Embassy in Washington sent an offer for assistance to be forwarded to the US authorities. The offer
contains assistance in the form of water purification equipment, ready to assemble temporary houses, medical supplies and technical assistance in restoring telecommunications. Kjell Larsson do not at this time know when a reply from the US authorities is to be expected.