World jumps to help Asia
2004-12-29 10:12
Geneva - The world's biggest-ever aid operation got into gear on Tuesday to help Asian countries stricken by tsunamis that smashed coastal towns leaving misery and the risk of disease in their wake.
The unprecedented effort involved neighbouring Asian states, Europeans, the United States and international organisations.
Doctors and relief workers faced vast devastation, with the latest death tolls across the region totalling more than 55 000 late on Tuesday.
In Geneva, a senior United Nations official said the world body was on the brink of launching its largest-ever appeal.
Yvette Stevens, UN Assistant Emergency Relief aid coordinator, said the international aid needed for the areas around the Indian Ocean was likely to exceed the previous record UN appeal of $1.6bn for Iraq last year.
Stockpiles of shelters
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies appealed for $44m in immediate aid.
"We face a huge challenge due to the vast area affected," Markku Niskala, secretary general of the organisation, said in Geneva, adding: "We haven't even seen the tip of the iceberg yet."
The UNHCR said the situation was "so enormous and shocking" that it had opened stockpiles of shelters, matting, clothing and cooking materials in Sri Lanka, where nearly 18 000 were killed and 200 000 were homeless.
UN High Commissioner for Refugees Ruud Lubbers said: "Our supplies are usually for displaced people, but this is an emergency and the local population needs help right now."
Aid planes from China, Denmark, France, India and Russia delivered humanitarian relief and medical staff to the island state.
The United States pledged another $20m in aid, more than doubling its contribution while rebuffing a suggestion it was being "stingy".
Launch of fundraising campaign
The new assistance brought the total US commitment to $35m.
Secretary of State Colin Powell bristled at comments by UN disaster relief co-ordinator Jan Egeland, who had spoken of "stingy" rich nations reluctant to commit taxpayer dollars to relief.
Egeland said on Tuesday his remarks were misinterpreted.
Three Gulf states announced they were sending a total of $22m in aid.
Qatar is sending $10m, as is Saudi Arabia, officials in the two countries said.
Kuwait's Red Crescent Society on Monday launched a fundraising campaign after the government said it was sending $1m to help the victims before increasing the figure to $2m on Tuesday.
In addition, authorities in the United Arab Emirates have directed the country's Red Crescent Society to send emergency aid to the disaster-hit areas.