HURRICANE KATRINA : Singapore copters help in New Orleans

NEW ORLEANS - THE United States has had offers for help from more than 70 countries around the world. And they are all being put to good use, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said. No offer will be refused.

'We have used Canadian airlift.

'Singaporean helicopters were in the area and have helped with people.'

Singapore is sending a fourth Chinook helicopter from its Peace Prairie detachment in Grand Prairie, Texas, to assist in the Hurricane Katrina relief operations.

Ms Rice told reporters during a tour of the hurricane-hit sites on Sunday: 'We have offers from France and those supplies will be taken up.'

Countries giving aid ranged from longtime American friends such as Japan, Germany, Canada, France and Britain as well as Cuban President Fidel Castro, who is willing to donate doctors and medicine.

Indonesia, still coping with the aftermath of the Dec 26 tsunami, has offered to send 40 doctors to help survivors, state media said.

Afghanistan has offered US$100,000 (S$167,000) in aid while Bangladesh said it would donate US$1 million in aid. -- REUTERS, ASSOCIATED PRESS

from The Straits Times Interactive, 6 September 2005