The Dutch public have so far donated around 63 million euros (about 83 million US dollars) to the relief effort following the tsunami in the Indian Ocean, Dutchmedia reported on Thursday.

The figure is still on the rise especially after special appeals were broadcasted on Dutch radios, televisions and newspapers on Thursday.

On Thursday, Dutch media held a major day-long event to secure funds for the victims of the Southeast Asian tsunami.

Six million Dutch households will also receive a direct debit card in the mail with which they can transfer money to account number 555, a special national bank account for all disaster relief donations, Radio Netherlands reported.

In an open letter published Thursday in a Dutch newspaper, Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende and opposition leader Wouter Bos called on the Dutch people to make donations to the relief fund.

So far, 54 million euros (about 71 million US dollars) have been deposited in account 555.

Prior to the tsunami disaster, the most successful fund-raisingappeal in the Netherlands was for the victims of violence in Kosovo in 1999. Around 52 million euros (about 68.6 million US dollars) were raised on that occasion.

Seven Dutch people are known to have died in the tsunami on Dec.26 and a further 30 are missing, presumed dead. Officials are still trying to trace about 100 people suspected of being in the region when the tsunami struck.

Source: Xinhua