Monday, December 27 2004 16:50 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: The United States today (Dec 27, 2004) announced an immediate relief of Rs 44.5 lakh to India for the people affected by Tsunami, which hit southern coastal belts of the country yesterday (Dec 28, 2004).

In a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Ambassador David C Mulford announced the relief and expressed condolences on behalf of the people and Government of the US to the Tsunami-affected people.

This preliminary contribution will go to the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and the Indian Red Cross, a communique from the US Embassy in New Delhi said.

These funds have been made available from the Ambassador's Humanitarian Relief Fund.

Mulford added that the US stood willing to assist India in any other way that would be helpful.