United Nations Radio

The international community must pull together to ensure that the relief effort for areas devastated by tsunamis in Asia reaches millions of survivors swiftly and effectively.

UN Special Coordinator for Humanitarian Assistance to tsunami-affected communities, Margareta Wahlstrom, says everyone who steps forward and can assist is a welcome partner.

"A disaster on this scale, like some of the other ones we have seen in our generation, outstrips the capacity of any single actor to respond. No single government, no single international system on their own can make a meaningful impact as rapidly as they need."

Ms. Wahlstrom says the ability of the international community to support the affected governments is crucial in the next few weeks.