TOKYO, Jan 1 (AFP) - Japan on Saturday promised 500 million dollars to countries devastated by tsunamis, by far outpledging all other countries which are racing to help victims of one of the world's worst disasters.

The Japanese contribution raises to more than 1.6 billion dollars the money raised for relief and reconstruction from massive seismic waves, which have claimed nearly 126,000 lives.

Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi said Japan, Asia's largest economy, would consider more assistance both in money and expertise.

"Japan will provide assistance to

Outbreaks of cholera and dysentery especially in the Indonesian region of Aceh in northern Sumatra raised fears that the total death toll for the 12 countries hit by the disaster - already expected to reach 150,000 - could rise even further. About 100,000 were believed killed in Indonesia alone, the U.N. had said Friday.

Meanwhile, world leaders and international

The extra amount brings the total funds released by the EU to help regions devastated by the disaster in south Asia to 23 million euros (31 million dollars), the EU's executive arm said.

On Tuesday the EU had earmarked 10 million euros for India, Sri Lanka and the Maldives, and a further three million

The Secretariat of the General People's Committee announced that humanitarian aid will be sent to Maldives to cope with the aftermath of the devastating earthquake that hit a number of south east Asian countries.

The Secretariat approved last Wednesday $ US 2 million in emergency aid, as a first urgent humanitarian aid to the countries affected by the natural disaster.

At least 42 islands in the tourist paradise of the Maldives were flattened with 117 people killed and missing after

I. SITUATION

Same as previous.

II. UPDATE BY SECTOR

Communication: The Telecommunications Authority today disclosed that 29 islands are still without direct communication links despite its claim yesterday that communication has been restored to all atolls. However, among these 29 islands there is mobile telephony service available to 5. Indirect communication by various HV radio's of fishing and navy boats has taken place.

Effects on population:

The entire country was inundated. All

That was more than all of the pledges to all humanitarian appeals in 2004 combined, Jan Egeland, the UN Emergency Relief Coordinator, told a press briefing at UN Headquarters in New York.

The international compassion had never ever been like this, Mr. Egeland said, noting that Japan's extremely generous

Overall operational information

Nine American Red Cross workers currently in or en-route to affected areas (Sri Lanka, Maldives, Indonesia and India) with expertise to support relief effort in three primary areas: water sanitation services, family linking and reunification, and relief supply distribution

On December 31st , the American Red Cross announced an initial $30 million in aid was on its way to the affected areas. Of this, $25 million will help pay for relief food supplies and

Two U.S. C-130 cargo planes carrying nearly WFP 10 tons of rice, biscuits and noodles flew today from the capital city Jakarta to Banda Aceh in one of the regions of Indonesia hardest hit by the tsunamis.

The WFP Public Information Officer who flew in on one of today's flights said that the situation in Banda Aceh was horrific, with people wandering aimlessly around, still in a state of shock and in obvious need of all types of relief support.

He reported that a few helicopters have tried to land in the coastal villages outside of Banda Aceh, but mobs on

• Ms. Margareta Wahlstrom, the Special Coordinator for Humanitarian Assistance to Tsunami affected communities, arrived in Sri Lanka.
  
• A consolidated regional UN Flash Appeal is scheduled to be launched on 6 January 2005.
  
• As of 1 January 2005, USD 982 million has been reported to OCHA as pledged or committed contributions for the victims for the tsunami-affected communities. (This figure does not include