WASHINGTON, Oct 3: American President George W. Bush on Friday freed up to $8.3 million in emergency aid to help Afghanistan, Georgia, and Pakistan cope with urgent refugee needs, the White House said.

In a memorandum for US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and made public by his press office, Bush said the monies were required “for the purpose of meeting unexpected and urgent refugee and migration needs.”

He said the problems in Pakistan and Afghanistan stemmed “from intensified armed conflict and flooding,” and cited “recent violence” in Georgia, which fought a brief war with Russia in August.

The president said the aid could be funnelled through international, governmental, and non-governmental organisations. —AFP