The UN agency helping feed tsunami victims said today it was sending its first ship to deliver food to ravaged west coast areas in Indonesia’s Aceh province - a sign that civilian groups are preparing to fill the gap as foreign troops begin pulling out.

Indonesia’s Muslims “will not remain quiet” if international relief groups try to convert tsunami survivors to Christianity, a senior Islamic leader said, as efforts to prevent epidemics in overcrowded, unsanitary camps gathered steam.

Malaria could kill up to 100,000 people in coming months across Indian Ocean communities devastated by the tsunami if authorities do not quickly move to kill mosquitoes, a health expert warned today.