The United Nations (UN) has warned of epidemics within days unless health systems in southern Asia can cope after more than 14 000 people were killed and hundreds of thousands left homeless by a tsunami.
"This may be the worst national disaster in recent history because it is affecting so many heavily populated coastal areas, so many vulnerable communities," the UN's Emergency Relief Co-ordinator Jan Egeland said.
"The longer term effects may be as devastating as the tsunami itself. Many more people are now affected by polluted drinking water. We could have epidemics within a few days unless we get health systems up and running."
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Experts said the top five issues to be addressed were water, sanitation, food, shelter and health.
Issues to be addressed were water, sanitation, food, shelter and health "We've had reports already from the south of India of bodies rotting where they have fallen and that will immediately affect the water supply especially for the most impoverished people," said Christian Aid emergency officer Dominic Nutt.
Some affected areas have had communications cut. Others are so remote it is impossible to know the extent of the damage.
The Geneva-based International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies said it was seeking an immediate $6.5 million (R36,85-million) for emergency aid funding.
"This is a preliminary appeal. It will be revised after exact needs are evaluated," said Simon Missiri, head of the federation's Asia Pacific department.
Earlier, the federation released $870 000 (R4,932-million) from its disaster relief emergency fund to get assistance moving to the region.
The Unitede States said it would offer "all appropriate assistance" to Asian countries, with some aid already on its way to Sri Lanka and the Maldives.
The European Union (EU) pledged an initial $4-million (R22,68-million) and Belgium has allocated its own e500 000 (R3,819-million) to be distributed by Red Cross bodies and the EU.
Britain said it had offered what it called practical help. - Reuters
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This article was originally published on page 4 of Cape Argus on December 27, 2004
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