This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Indian Ocean Crisis - Minister meets with aid organisations
30/12/2004
Patricia Ferguson met with international aid organisations today to discuss their response to the Indian Ocean disaster and how the Scottish government can help their efforts.
Speaking after the meeting, Patricia Ferguson, who has specific responsibility for co-ordinating the Executive's devolved responsibilities on this matter, said:
"Discussions today were extremely positive and demonstrated a unity of purpose in helping the humanitarian effort in every possible way.
"We were all keen to appeal again to the Scots' generous spirit to dig deep and give what they can - be it cash, provisions or simply some of their time. At this time of year Scots come together in their traditional Hogmanay celebrations and toast the spirit of goodwill and I believe we can harness that spirit of goodwill and all play a part in helping the relief effort.
"We also discussed how Scottish Executive employees with specialist skills might be seconded to aid organisations and we will be taking forward this initiative immediately.
"I am also exploring with my Cabinet colleagues how they might work directly with organisations linked with their portfolios to provide support. Discussions are already underway with the business community about what help they can realistically offer and early indications are very promising.
"Scotland is determined to play its part in helping the aid organisations. The meeting today demonstrated how they are working tirelessly to help those in need, and gave us fresh ideas on how we might complement their work and that of the UK government.
"By working together we can all help to make a difference to those who need help most."
Representatives at the meeting were; Save The Children, SCIAF (Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund), Oxfam in Scotland, Red Cross UK, Concern, NIDOS (Network of International Development Organisations in Scotland), Mercy Corps, and Glasgow Caring City Charity.
The First Minister announced in October this year that the Executive will help Scottish non-governmental organisations target their overseas work. He announced that the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport, Patricia Ferguson, will have specific responsibility to co-ordinate the government's efforts in this area.
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