Czech Republic almost doubles immediate aid to Southeast Asia

The Czech government is to release another half a million US dollars in immediate aid for Southeast Asia, on top of the 650,000 dollars already approved. It made the announcement at a United Nations donor conference in Geneva on Tuesday.

Almost nine million dollars has also been earmarked for long-term reconstruction projects. Meanwhile, the Czech public has donated nearly 9.5 million US dollars towards relief in the devastated region.

The number of Czechs still missing in Southeast Asia now stands at 11, with seven of them believed to have died. Only one Czech casualty has been confirmed so far.