Swedish response to Hurricane Katrina

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Hurricane Katrina 2005 Atlantic hurricane season

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Sweden received on September 1, in the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, a general plea for disaster aid from the United States. The Swedish Rescue Services Agency made a formal offer of help through the Swedish Embassy in Washington, D.C., and the Swedish government gave the Rescue Service Agency clearance to give assistance.

On September 2, awaiting a formal request from the U.S. State Department, the Rescue Service Agency prepared a Hercules cargo aircraft filled with three complete GSM systems, first aid kits, blankets, ready-to-eat meals, generators, and 2 large water purification plants. The capacity of the water plants would provide 15,000 people with 7 litres water per day. Included was a five member expertise team.

Having yet to receive a formal request, the Swedish agency scheduled the Hercules to leave on September 4 but on Sunday the U.S. declined the aid, saying it was currently unable to accept foreign aid packages. However, the U.S. State Department had not formally declined the Scandinavian country's help. The Swedish Rescue Services Agency stated that they would have the aircraft ready for immediate deployment upon receiving a green light from the Bush Administration.

On September 7 Harry Thomas, coordinator for foreign aid at the U.S. State Department, publicly denied reports that the Rescue Service Agency was waiting with a plane on the ground in Sweden for flight clearance in the U.S., and had not heard from Washington. Claes Thorson, a spokesman at the Swedish Embassy in Washington said, "There is a lot of stuff offered, but we are having a problem getting it over," [1] [2]

On September 12 the Hercules plane left Gothenburg-Landvetter Airport for the United States, carrying a cargo of three Ericsson GSM network systems. A team of technical consultants to help with the aid package was also provided.