Countries join forces to co-ordinate disaster relief efforts

THE United States, India, Australia and Japan have formed an international coalition to co-ordinate worldwide relief and reconstruction efforts for the Asian region ravaged by a deadly earthquake and tsunamis.

The world’s richest nations have already pledged over €175 million in emergency aid.

The United Nations said it would launch an international appeal on January 6 for money to cover the emergency phase of the operation, but UN officials have said billions of euro will be needed to rebuild the shattered countries.