Global relief effort swings into operations

The United Nations rushed disaster teams to the region.

The UN Office for the Coord-ination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said the stricken countries needed portable sanitation facilities, medical supplies, tents and helicopters to evacuate people.

"The power of this earthquake, and its huge geographical reach, are just staggering," said UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) executive director Carol Bellamy.

Much of the early international aid was focused on Sri Lanka, which declared a state of emergency.

Governments from France to Australia and Russia to the United States pledged aid and assistance, despatched aircraft, doctors and specialists to the worst-hit areas.

In Geneva, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies appealed for 6.6 million dollars to help an estimated 500,000 survivors.

The Dutch government -- the former colonial ruler of Indonesia -- had given two million euros to the International Red Cross, to help the aid effort in the region.

The French government announced that a plane carrying about 100 rescue and medical and communications specialists would leave for Sri Lanka on Monday. The plane was also to take tents, emergency covers and water equipment.

The European Commission said it was providing emergency aid of three million euros (four million dollars) for the victims.

Two Russian Il-76 transport planes will leave in the next few days for the region carrying a helicopter, tents, other supplies and rescue personnel, a spokesman for Russia's emergencies ministry told Interfax news agency.

Russia said it was also preparing to provide aid to Sri Lanka and Indonesia.

Ireland meanwhile pledged an initial 1.35 million dollars for relief efforts while the Swiss government earmarked 890,000 dollars and offered additional assistance.

Turkey also offered its help to Asian countries hit hard by the disaster.

Germany announced that it was sending one million euros of aid for Asian countries hit by the tidal wave disaster.