US increases tsunami aid ten-fold after criticism

WASHINGTON - The United States will provide US$350 million in aid for victims of southern Asia's devastating tsunami, a government official said on Friday.

Details of the aid package were still being worked out and it was not clear whether the money was in addition to the US$35 million already pledged, according to the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

The US has been criticised for being 'stingy' in its initial contribution.

President George W Bush had said on Wednesday that the initial US pledge of US$35 million was only the beginning.

A magnitude-9 earthquake a day after Christmas triggered a massive tsunami that killed more than 124,000 people in 13 countries. The death toll continued to rise as more bodies washed ashore and hundreds of thousands of people remained without food, clean water, clothing and shelter.

- REUTERS