President Bush announced today that he would request a total of $950 million from Congress to help victims of the December 26 tsunami that devastated parts of Asia. The request included the previously pledged amount of $350 million plus an additional $600 million in aid. More than 160,000 people were killed by the tsunami.

'I will seek $950 million as part of the supplemental appropriations request to support the areas recovering from the tsunami and to cover the costs of relief efforts to date,' Mr. Bush announced. 'We will use these resources to provide assistance and to work with the affected nations on rebuilding vital infrastructure that reenergizes economies and strengthens societies.'

According to Deputy Secretary of Defense Paul Wolfowitz, American military personnel have already delivered more than 10 million pounds of food and 400,000 gallons of fresh water to the survivors of the tsunami.

The total of $950 million will include $339 million for reconstruction of infrastructure; $168 million to help victims transition back to their communities; $35 million for early warning and disaster-mitigation efforts; and $62 million to help plan reconstruction activities and cover the costs of U.S. agencies in the region according to a White House spokesman.