The international community on Tuesday offered condolences and relief to quake-hit Indonesia, where more than 1,000 people were feared killed by the disaster.
UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan said Tuesday that he was deeply distressed at the news of the powerful earthquake off Sumatra in Indonesia on Monday, and his heart goes to the families of the victims as well as to the government of Indonesia.
The UN chief said he had sent disaster coordination teams to the area to work with the Indonesian government and non- governmental organizations to help assess the damage while UN agencies work with others to help relieve the suffering.
He pledged that the UN will support the people of Indonesia at this difficult hour, and ensured its readiness to help with reconstruction efforts at the appropriate time.
The European Union had sent an assessment team to the effected area to undertake a speedy assessment of needs and the European Commission is ready for an emergency financial response if required, a senior EU official said Tuesday.
Louis Michel, European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid, expressed his heartfelt sympathy for the victims. He said that as soon as news of the earthquake was heard, staff of the Humanitarian Aid department of the European Commission were mobilized and its partner agencies contacted.
Chinese President Hu Jintao on Tuesday sent a message of condolences to his Indonesian counterpart Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, extending sincere sympathy for bereaved families in the quake.
Beijing has decided to provide US$500,000 in cash to help Indonesia's disaster relief work, and the Red Cross Society of China, a non-governmental organization and principal donation collector, also decided on Tuesday to provide its Indonesian counterpart with US$300,000 in cash.
US President George W. Bush on Tuesday offered US aid and his condolences to the victims. "The people of Indonesia can know as well that they have our prayers, and that our government is ready to assist."
State Department spokesman Adam Ereli told reporters the US could provide military logistic support. "I would note that significant assistance from the United States is already moving to the area," he said.
Relief agencies in Britain reacted swiftly to the killer quake in Indonesia. Oxfam International, active in the region following the December quake, said it had sent an assessment team to Nias island by helicopters from the regional Indonesian capital Banda Aceh to assess the scale of the disaster.
German President Horst Koehler, in a telegraph to his Indonesian counterpart Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, said he was dismayed by the new losses of lives just three months after the devastating Tsunami hit Indian Ocean rim countries.
German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder said that he felt deepest sympathy for Indonesian people on behalf of his fellow citizens.
Singapore dispatched military helicopters and a team of medical and rescue workers to the island of Nias, which bore the brunt of the 8.7-magnitude quake.
Japan offered relief goods, paramedics and troops to Indonesia following the quake.
Australian Prime Minister John Howard said his country will give Indonesia nearly US$800,000 in emergency aid and will provide a field hospital.
India on Tuesday announced US$2 million in aid to Indonesia. Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh also sent a message of "sympathy and condolence" to Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.
South Africa promised emergency relief "within the limited resources at its disposal" as President Thabo Mbeki expressed his condolences to the quake victims in Indonesia.