Plan's international appeal is already in receipt of pledges of over US$2 million. Australian's have donated almost AUS$45,000 to date and much more is needed.

The Plan Tsunami Appeal is supporting the desperate need for:

• $25 - for basic medical supplies (bandages, cotton wool and band aids)
• $50 - for water, food and blankets
• $100 - for urgently needed drugs to prevent contageous diseases
• $200 - for help supply a water purification system to a village
• $1000 - for portable toilets, which need to be brought in from overseas as stocks locally have been depleted
• $3,500 will help purchase a large generator to power one hospital
• $5000 will purchase a pump to drain contaminated water from wells to help a community gain ongoing access to safe drinking water.

Plan is committed to working with affected children and their communities for the long term. Funds are urgently required to both meet basic needs and also to support long term community rehabilitation and restoration of family livelihoods.

Donations are having immediate impact on the situation in Sri Lanka in particular, where $500,000 is already being used on the ground, including $200,000 which has been contributed to Sri Lanka's national fund - $100,000 for general, immediate relief and $100,000 for reconstruction in the community of Hambantota.

Plan has no religious or political affiliation. Child sponsorship is the basic foundation of our work with children around the world. For more information on Plan's work in Sri Lanka visit www.plan.org.au.

To make a secure online donation to the Tsunami Asia Appeal, visit Plan.s website www.plan.org.au or call 1800 038 100.

Media enquiries for more information, photographs or to arrange an interview with Lucy Perera, or Michael Diamond in Sri Lanka or Richard Sandison or Ian Wishart (Plan Australia CEO) in Australia contact:

Tim Cansfield-Smith
Media & Communications Manager
Plan Australia
Phone: 03 5348 3634
Mobile: 0411 642 194