About 30 members of the Irish Defence Forces may be despatched to the US to help out in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
The army may also supply thousands of ready meals, tentage, blankets, water purification services and medical aid.
The Irish soldiers would be providing first aid kits, crutches and wheelchairs.
They could provide 3,000 ready meals and their tents will be able to accommodate 500 people.
The group would include about ten experts in stress debriefing and perhaps a specialist on infectious diseases.
Six of the troops would operate two water purification plants, and about 20 soldiers would distribute the meals and administer the tents.
Government to give €1m in US aid
Earlier, the Irish Government announced it is to provide initial funding of €1m for the victims of the hurricane.
In a statement, Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern said the aid will be directed to those most in need through the Red Cross and community-based organisations.
He added that the Government would also be contributing to the relief effort through the European Union.
The EU yesterday received official requests from the US to provide emergency assistance.
The minister also said that they are doing everything possible to help Irish citizens caught up in the aftermath of the disaster.
He added that they remain concerned about a number of Irish people, though that number has been significantly reduced.
Mr Ahern said that officials are in the region working closely with the emergency services and will stay as long as required.
Meanwhile, another Irish honeymoon couple stranded in New Orleans arrived home at Dublin airport this morning.
Michael and Jean Leyden from Dromahair, Co Leitrim, were trapped for a time in their hotel in the French Quarter. Five other Irish visitors arrived home yesterday.
The Department of Foreign Affairs says it has yet to contact 12 Irish people known to have been in the affected area but it believes they are safe.
