Leaders call for global response to tsunami disaster

He told participants at the meeting that "the eruption of Mount Krakatau killed more than 36,000 people and I remembered in my school days with astonishment...

"My generation face a natural disaster so great and it would inflict human casualties three times that of Krakatau, high toll among children."

Susilo said his government and the world community have responded vigorously with more than 30 countries having contributed to help with fund, logistical resources, food, medicine and other assistance.

Despite all tremendous efforts, yet more needs to be done, said the president.

"We need to do them very urgently and we need to do them collaboratively."

Susilo said he took a helicopter ride above Aceh and Meulaboh, a distance of about 240 km, to see communities and villages along the coastlines flattened to the ground with no visible signs of life.

"Our response to this unprecedented catastrophe must be equally unprecedented so that it can immediately put an end to the human suffering and misery that came after," he added.

Also addressing the meeting, United Nations Secretary General Annan said the tsunami death toll will be likely over 150,000 and there is an immediate need for the disaster survivors.

Annan said that about 977 million US dollars was immediately needed to cover humanitarian emergency needs for 5 million tsunami disaster survivors over the next six months.

"We must set the stage for efforts in the longer term, as we move from saving lives to recovery and reconstruction," Annan said.

He said over 3 billion dollars has been pledged, calling for a quick turn of the pledges into cash.

"Many of the pledges have come to us in cash and in kind. We need the rest of the pledges to be converted into cash quickly," he said.

"We also need more people and more materiel to get the aid to those who are most in need, often in remote areas."

Participants also call for a warning system. "Although we were powerless to stop the tsunami, together we have the power to stop those next waves," Annan said.

"No longer must we leave ourselves so vulnerable and so exposed,'' said Thai Foreign Minister Surakiart Sathirathai. "It is well-proven that 10 minutes' advance warning can save hundreds of lives."

Source: Xinhua