Red Cross launches support line

Victims of the Asian tsunami will receive emotional support

A special telephone support line has been launched by the Red Cross to help victims of the Asian tsunami.

People directly affected by the disaster can speak in confidence to specially trained volunteers manning the call service on 0845 054 74 74.

The line offers support to British survivors of the tragedy and the families and friends of those involved.

The service, which is funded by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, will be available from 0900 and 2100 GMT.

'Directly affected'

So far, 40 Britons have been confirmed dead, out of almost 140,000 people killed in total.

But it is thought the number of British victims will rise, while many others on holiday in the affected region have been traumatised by the events.

Volunteers from the Red Cross, Victim Support and Cruse Bereavement Care will staff the help line, providing advice and information.

If necessary they will direct victims of the disaster to other support services.

"We must stress this line is to provide emotional help and support for those directly affected by the crisis. It is not a general inquiry line," a Red Cross spokesman added.

"We are unable to quantify the amount of people that have been directly affected by the Asian crisis but we are expecting quite a lot of calls over the next few days as people return to the UK from the affected areas."