UN starts to take over tsunami relief

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.

The World Food Programme shipment came on the same day that the Indonesian government said the emergency phase of Aceh relief operations is almost over, and that civilian aid workers should soon replace troops in delivering food and shelter to survivors.