The United Nations, governments and aid groups began providing aid Sunday to help the Asian countries stricken by Sunday's powerful earthquakes and tsunamis.

Tsunamis triggered by a series of huge undersea earthquakes near the Indonesian island of Sumatra smashed into the coastal countries of the Indian Ocean rim Sunday, destroying villages, flooding cities and killing about 13,000 people.

Sri Lanka declared a state of emergency and appealed for international help after the disaster. The Maldives islands in the Indian Ocean had also asked for international help.

A spokesman for UN Secretary General Kofi Annan said Sunday that UN disaster and coordination teams were being dispatched throughout the region to work with governments of affected countries in providing rescue and relief assistance. He added, "The United Nations stands ready to provide the assistance necessary to meet the needs created by these natural disasters."

Annan "was profoundly saddened to learn of the massive loss of life and destruction" and "extends his sincere condolences to the people and governments of the countries " the spokesman said.

The UN said on Sunday that the first teams were sent to Sri Lanka, where the tidal waves claimed at least 4,500 lives and caused 1 million others displaced.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) issued a statement on Sunday, saying the countries in the disaster zone needed portable sanitation facilities, medical supplies, tents and helicopters to evacuate people.

Chinese President Hu Jintao on Sunday sent messages to leaders of seven Asian countries hit by the tsunamis to offer condolences to the victims.

The Chinese government announced Sunday evening that it has launched an emergency aid mechanism and will deliver the emergency humanitarian aid to India, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Maldives and Thailand as soon as possible.

US President George W. Bush extended his condolences on the disaster on Sunday. The White House said in a statement that the United States stands ready to offer all appropriate assistance to those nations affected.

Russia said two transport aircraft would leave Monday for Sri Lanka with a helicopter, tents and other equipment and staff to help victims.

The European Union said it was providing immediate aid of 3 million euros (about 4 million dollars) to meet "initial vital needs," and more substantial aid would be provided.

The French government announced that a plane with 100 doctors, rescue specialists and communications experts will fly to Sri Lanka on Monday.

Israel also said it will send doctors and experts to India.

Pakistani President Pervez Musharaf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Sunday sent messages of sympathy to their counterparts in India, Sri Lanka and Maldives. Aziz said the government is ready to provide assistance to Sri Lanka "as the people of Sri Lanka may require at this hour of distress."

The Indian government has launched an operation to help people on its southern coasts and to deliver food and medicine to neighboring Sri Lanka.

Greece said a military C-130 cargo plane would leave late Sunday for India and Sri Lanka with 11 tons of medical supplies and volunteers. Turkey also promised to help.

Germany and Ireland each announced to release 1 million euros for emergency relief. Britain pledged 100,000 dollars to fund a World Health Organization crisis response team while Kuwait offered 1 million dollars.

Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong sent condolences to affected countries and expressed the willingness to offer assistance.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies is appealing for 6.6 million dollars to help the survivors.

The 8.9-magnitude earthquake, the most powerful in four decades, struck just before 8:00 a.m. local time (0100 GMT) off the west coast of Sumatra, about 1,620 kilometers northwest of Jakarta, according to the US Geological Survey. It was followed by a series of powerful aftershocks.

The death toll is increasing as counting of bodies washed up on beaches is continuing while thousands were reported missing. Tens of thousands fled the coasts for higher ground, fearing aftershocks and further flood surges.