Dutch Teletext now mentions a death toll of 59.000.

They expect this number to double... diseases will riddle the survivors.

HamsterHuey said:

that number's being reported by Aussie news too...so terrible

HamsterHuey said:

What kinds of diseases? I'm almost tempted to join a relief effort. The UN is calling for the largest aid in world history.

My friend from the riding club and her family are ok, they have phoned from their hotel in Phuket They're shocked but ok.

GangstaFam said:

There is lack of fresh water. So they expect all kinds of diseases.

WWW.BBC.CO.UK says

Disease 'could swamp wave zones'

The number of people dying from disease following the Indian Ocean tsunami could exceed those killed in the disaster itself, a health expert warns.
Dr David Nabarro of the World Health Organisation said it was vital to get relief supplies to stricken areas to prevent a health catastrophe.

"There is certainly a chance we could have as many dying from communicable diseases as from the tsunami," he said.

Aid workers say providing clean water is their first priority.

It is feared diseases like malaria, dengue fever and cholera could easily spread in unsanitary conditions.

MSNBC has some exclusive footage that is the most incredible I've seen yet.

GangstaFam said:

It's so sickening.

I sent emails to the Red Cross and CARE to see what their volunteer needs are. I'll post here if I find out anything interesting. I'm sure what they mainly need is money.

GangstaFam said:

malaria, cholera etc.

My neighbor's sister-in-law is Sri Lankan, she and her brother who live here in Australia r now the last of their family, their parents and other family members were all killed back in their home country.

I can't begin 2 imagine what it would b like 2 have ur entire family wiped out like that.

67,000 and rising, a terrible end to the year...

We have got to help! I wrote a check yesterday for $50 to the Red Cross. They really need monetray donations because our stingy American government only put up 35 million! I bet they are going to spend more than that on Dubya's inarguration next month! They need your help. If you can only give 5 or 10 bucks, please give! 1-800-HELP-NOW.

AndGodCreatedMe said:

He's just been reunited with his father - they discovered he was Scandanavian. The marks on his face were from Mosquito bites. His mother still hasn't been found however

http://www.phuket-inter-h...th/boy.htm

dreamfactory313 said:

Great stuff... this is a time when donations will really make a difference, since a lot of people are left with absolutely nothing. Please everybody, help out if can. $20 sent to Sri Lanka or Indonesia is far more important than that Japenese Prince 12".

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