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January 2, 2005
World bid to save millions
Topics: Southeast Asia Earthquake and Tsunami- The Age (Australia) Jan 3, 2005
Total confirmed dead: 144,014. Click here for full list.
The desperate bid to save the lives of millions of tsunami survivors across south Asia was being hampered last night by the sheer scale of the catastrophe, deteriorating weather and the threat of disease, as Australia drafted an unprecedented $500 million-plus aid package mainly for Indonesia, the worst-hit country.
Rescuers battled torrential rain in Sri Lanka while numerous aftershocks jolted the already devastated Andaman and Nicobar Islands, west of Thailand.
US Navy helicopters, unable to land in flooded, tsunami-ravaged Indonesian villages, dropped aid to desperate crowds clamouring for the life-saving parcels.
US Navy helicopters, unable to land in flooded, tsunami-ravaged Indonesian villages, dropped aid to desperate crowds clamouring for the life-saving parcels.
With the death toll expected to reach at least 150,000 across 11 countries and global relief pledges edging towards $US2 billion ($A2.57 billion), UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan warned that it could take up to a decade for some areas to recover.
"Because the devastation is enormous it will require billions of dollars," Mr Annan said in an interview to be aired in the US last night.
US President George Bush said the carnage defied comprehension and ordered that flags be flown at half-mast across America in honour of the tsunami dead.
Five million people remain short of water, food and basic sanitation across the region. World Health Organisation crisis chief David Nabarro warned that a further 50,000 deaths from disease and other causes were likely, based on previous humanitarian rescue experience. Continue reading....
Dan at RiehlWorldView has an updated Thailand Victims List, sorted country by country. Important to check out.
Posted by Hyscience at January 2, 2005 10:39 PM
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