Blair pledges UK help over quake

Britain sent its first plane load of aid on Monday

Britain is ready to help those hit by the Asian earthquake in any way it can, Tony Blair has said.

The "world is united in sorrow", he said, for those affected by the devastating tidal wave which has killed at least 80,000 people in 12 countries.

The scale of the disaster was becoming more apparent daily and with it the need for immediate relief for those affected, the prime minister said.

The UK government has said it will give £15m to help the victims of the quake.

Many families in Britain have been affected and we must and will do all we can to help them Tony Blair

The planning and co-ordination of "the international response to the long-term devastation of this natural disaster" needs to start now, Mr Blair said in his New Year message.

"This New Year the world is united in sorrow for those affected by one of the biggest natural disasters in our lifetime.

"Our prayers are with those who have died, those who have lost loved ones and friends and those whose lives have been destroyed by this terrible catastrophe in south east Asia.

"Many families in Britain have been affected and we must and will do all we can to help them."

British emergency teams and key officials were deployed in the stricken area "from the moment the disaster struck", he added.

UK government aid £15m immediately available 20,000 tarpaulins 4,500 cooking sets 40,000 sleeping mats 10 WHO health kits

Earlier Foreign Secretary Jack Straw insisted Britain was doing all it could to help the aid effort and said more aid would be made available in the future as it was required.

Tory leader Michael Howard welcomed the increase from an earlier £1m pledge and urged British citizens to donate cash.

Mr Howard said: "It's not just a question of what governments can do. I think individuals can help too.

"I hope that we in Britain, ordinary people in Britain can match the £15m the government has offered.

"A little money can go a long way. It's important that we all help."

Mr Straw also said the Cabinet was in regular contact with the prime minister who is on holiday with his family.

UK HELPLINES 0207 008 0000 - for information on friends and relatives 0870 6060290 - for flight details or travel advice 'Eight of my family are dead' Sri Lankan ex-pats offer help

Mr Straw made the comments after visiting a Foreign Office emergency helpline in Hendon, north London, for people worried about missing relatives.

The number of British people who have been confirmed dead has now risen to 24 - 18 in Thailand, three in Sri Lanka and three in the Maldives.

The management of the line has come under fire after many relatives said they were unable to get through or were cut off.

At one stage the bureau had been receiving around 17,000 calls an hour, a foreign office spokesman said.

An extra 2,200 lines and more staff were put in place to cope with the huge demand.

Defending the centre, Mr Straw said: "These calls because they are from very anxious relatives or friends, they have been taking up to 15 minutes to handle."