At least 150,000 people from countries all over the world have lost their lives in South East Asia and East Africa in the aftermath of the earthquake and resulting tsunamis on December 26. Sri Lanka and Indonesia suffered the highest number of deaths, but 11 countries including Thailand, Maldives, India, Somalia, Kenya, Tanzania and Seychelles have suffered deaths and been affected by the tsunami waves which reached as high as 7 metres.

Aid workers and volunteers are focused on stopping the spread of disease and delivering food and drinking water to survivors. Emergency assessment and first-aid teams of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies were on the ground quickly and are already working with local groups to support relief efforts. These are continuing as more bodies are recovered and identified and - thankfully - more survivors are found. Thousands of people are still missing; many others have lost their homes and livelihoods.

GreaterGood South Africa has received firsthand accounts of the event from two South Africans who were in Thailand at the time and who helped in the immediate aftermath on Phi Phi Island and the subsequent return of survivors to South Africa. You can read their accounts here. Antonia will be telling her story on 567 Cape Talk Radio on Thursday 6 Jan, at 6.45am.

The generosity of people across the world has been as staggering as the magnitude of the disaster and individuals, foundations, and corporations in every country are responding in significant numbers to the global effort to provide relief assistance to the victims of the tsunamis. Currently, the most effective way for individuals, companies, foundations and charities to assist the many relief agencies working in the disaster zones is by making a monetary contribution. Donations will be used to provide medicine, clothing, food, and shelter for earthquake and tsunami disaster victims in both East Africa and South East Asia. If you have gifts in kind like tents, sleeping bags, first aid kits or the like, these would also be welcome and well used, and we can arrange for these to be distributed.

There are various agencies that you could support who already have staff and volunteers working in the countries affected and who already have working relationships with local people and governments. These agencies will be more likely get the aid where it is needed quickly. Any support for your personal charity choice or any other organisation is welcome and will be processed through GreaterGood South Africa.

GreaterGood South Africa has launched a focused appeal in support of The South African Red Cross Society - part of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies who were immediately active in the area following the disaster. We are thrilled that both the Nedcor Foundation and Deutsche Bank Africa Foundation have already contributed R50,000 each to this appeal. Deutsche Bank have also confirmed that they will match any contribution made by their staff members to the relief efforts of the South African Red Cross Society. M-Web have also generously supported this appeal by facilitating online donations through www.GreaterGoodSA.co.za

DON'T FORGET

If you are an American Express Membership Rewards Member or part of the eBucks rewards programme that you can also donate your MR points and/or eBucks to this appeal through GreaterGood South Africa. Simply click here and complete the form choosing your preferred payment mechanism.

If you are a staff member of any company that is committed to matching your contributions, please make your gift as soon as possible. If your company has not yet committed to doing this, you can encourage them to do so and make you're your own contribution doubles. GreaterGood South Africa has facilitated the administration of matched giving by companies by enabling you to enter the company that you work for at the time of your donation. We can then provide companies with a detailed list of all staff members who have contributed through the site - and the amount that they have contributed.

The South Africa Red Cross Society name is used with its permission. All support provided through the GreaterGood South Africa Trust will be accounted for and reported on by them in regular updates posted online on the GreaterGood South Africa site.

Tamzin Ractliffe