Secretary-General's opening remarks at a press conference on the launch of the flash appeal for the relief effort in countries affected by the tsunami disaster (Q&A to follow)

In the six-month period covered by this appeal, we will need nine hundred and seventy-seven million dollars to cover the humanitarian emergency and initial recovery needs of an estimated five million people.

This appeal presents a focused set of programmes, agreed with the affected Governments, that have already started. These programmes must in themselves set the stage for and make possible efforts in the longer term, with a particular emphasis on the early restoration of livelihoods.

Of course, the first priority is to ensure we reach the affected communities with water, sanitation, food, shelter and psychological support.

Together with the host Governments, we are overcoming the many practical obstacles to the delivery of aid. Let me thank those Governments who have offered major logistical and communications support to enable us to distribute aid to the areas where it is most needed, with the US Government in the lead. With everyone's commitment to strong coordination, we are now confident that we will prevail. Let me commend the countries affected for their rapid and relevant responses.

Beyond the immediate relief, there is already a great deal we are doing to get the recovery effort under way. Let me give you an example: a vast number of those affected are subsistence fishermen and their families. To enable both their rehabilitation and livelihoods, the best assistance we can offer them is an early opportunity to repair their boats and fishing nets.

More broadly, these are very self-sufficient people who are used to living by their own hard work. If we give them quick financial support, building materials, and other resources, they will make their own recovery. They will get their villages and municipalities cleaned up, their children back in school. We must invest in their recovery efforts, not make them wait for ours.

It is equally important to ensure that from now on, there are no gaps in the funding effort as we move into the intermediate and longer term. We know from experience that such gaps can wipe out painstakingly achieved progress towards recovery.

We trust that that the world community will work with us in the implementation of the programmes covered by this appeal, and stay with us for the duration. And I look to you, the media, to hold them to that commitment.

Copies of the appeal are being distributed to you. With me here is Margareta Wahlström, the UN Special Coordinator for the tsunami relief effort, who over the past week has visited several of the countries affected. We will now try to answer your questions.