Flights from countries in the North Altantic Treaty Organization brought items that included cots from the Czech Republic, Austria and Slovakia; blankets from Norway and Denmark; first aid kits from Slovenia and Finland; towels from Greece and tents from Romania, said State Department spokesman Sean McCormack.

The items "were dispersed via 140 truck loads to various emergency response distribution points in Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas," McCormack said.

"And we, again, are thankful for the outpouring of support from our friends in Europe," he said.

At least 1,209 people were killed when Hurricane Katrina ripped through the southern states of Louisiana, Mississippi, Florida and Alabama on August 29. Hurricane Rita also swept the US Gulf Coast earlier this month.

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