I WOULD like to thank the public for the fantastic response so far to the Disasters and Emergency Committee Tsunami Earthquake Appeal.

In the first 24 hours over £5million was donated while Oxfam itself had already raised £1.5 m following its own appeal.

The scale of this crisis is bigger than anything we, as an organisation, have ever seen. Relief operations by Oxfam staff are now under way in four of the affected countries.

Our plane carrying 27 tons of emergency water equipment has arrived in Sri Lanka. Oxfam staff are providing temporary latrines, roofing sheets, plastic sheeting for shelter, mats, bed sheets and sanitary napkins. Oxfam has provided cooked food to people who were waiting for the release of the bodies of their relatives and were also involved in rescue and medical assistance, taking a number of people to hospital.

Oxfam is preparing 25,000 packs of food locally, containing rice, flour, dhal, fish, sugar and cereal, plus 10,000 packs with soap, sanitary towels, candles and matches.

Water points are being set up in seven places. In Tamil Nadu (India) we are distributing hygiene kits and in Indonesia we aim to distribute hygiene kits, water tanks and latrine plates to 10,000 families.

Funds are urgently needed for immediate relief and long-term reconstruction. Aid agencies are working together to raise funds under the DEC joint Appeal. Members of the public should call the donation line on 0870 60 60 900 or log on to www.dec.org.uk. Donations will be gratefully received at Oxfam, or any of the other agencies' shops and at banks, building societies and post offices. They will help give hope to many for 2005 and will make a huge difference to people whose lives have been shattered by this crisis.

ROGER JAMES

Oxfam Campaigns SW

Bristol