The UN has praised Asian countries for their prompt and necessary assistance to the tsunami-hit regions.

UN humanitarian chief Jan Egeland notes that UN member countries are playing an active role in the relief efforts and among them China and India have made outstanding contributions.

China has donated two hundred thousand US dollars to Malaysia and one hundred thousand US dollars to Somalia.

This is the first donation that Somalia has received since it was hit by the tsunami.

Meanwhile, South Korea and Germany have raised their donations to 50 million US dollars and five hundred million euros, or 660 million US dollars.

Saudi Arabia has also raised its contribution to 30 million US dollars.

On the same day, British Chancellor of Exchequer Gordon Brown proposed to the Group of Eight Industrial Countries an immediate moratorium on debt repayment from the affected countries.

Japanese Defense Minister Yoshinori Ohno has asked the Self-Defense Forces to prepare for a relief mission in the tsunami-ravaged region. 21 Japanese soldiers have already arrived in Thailand.

In addition, the International Underwriting Association estimates that insurance companies across the world may give out five to ten billion US dollars in compensation for tsunami damage.