Canada will increase its contribution to aid relief for tsunami victims to 425 million Canadian dollars (350 million US dollars) over five years, Prime Minister Paul Martin announced Monday.

He told reporters here that that the government of Canada will extend its focus to include not only short-term humanitarian aid, but also needs relating to the long-term reconstruction of areas affected by the tsunami disaster.

Canada has earmarked 265 million Canadian dollars (about 210 million US dollars for regions devastated by the Dec. 26 catastrophe, including humanitarian aid, the deployment of Canada's disaster relief team and a debt moratorium for the affected countries, Mr. Martin said.