U.N.: Where's The Tsunami Money?

The United Nations regional agency for Asia on Monday called on donor countries to fulfill pledges to countries devastated by last December's Indian Ocean tsunami.

Kim Hak-Su, executive secretary of the U.N. Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, said only about $2.5 billion of a pledged $6.7 billion had been paid up so far by donors.

Speaking at a meeting of countries affected by the Dec. 26 tsunami, Kim said up to $15 billion would be needed for recovery efforts over the next three to five years in the five most-devastated countries.

Indonesia, the worst hit country, needs $5 billion while the second-most devastated Sri Lanka requires $3.5 billion.

The earthquake-driven tsunami killed more than 176,000 people and left at least 49,000 more unaccounted for and presumed dead after slamming into 11 countries in Asia and Africa.

Sri Mulyani Indrawati, Indonesia's minister for national development, said her country was set to restore public services and infrastructure. Emergency operations focusing on providing shelter, food and medical services would continue for another six months.

Sri Lanka's Deputy Minister of Urban Development and Water Supply, Mahinda Amaraweera, said housing is the most pressing problem in his country. Some 110 donors have agreed to fund the construction of 35,000 homes.

"Though more donors are willing to build houses, finding suitable land for construction nearby is a problem," he said, adding 53,000 families need to be relocated since the government implemented new rules banning settlements near the shore.

Thai Deputy Prime Minister Chaturon Chaisang, meanwhile, said his country expects to complete its tsunami early warning system by the end of 2006 with the installation of sea level and tide gauges in the Indian Ocean and along the Andaman Sea coast.

Indian Minister of State for Commerce and Industry E.V.K.S. Elangovan said his country's warning system will be in place by the summer of 2007.

By Rungrawee C. Pinyorat