INITIATIVES aimed at providing victims of the Asian tsunami with clean drinking water and have been put into action by Rotary clubs across Kent.

Now the county's 50 branches are planning to support a Tsunami Disaster Collection Day being held by Rotary across the UK on Saturday (January 8). Members will collect money in town centres and outside supermarkets.

Himansu Basu, Governor of the Rotary International District for Kent and East Sussex, said: "The scale of the disaster is hard to imagine, but we are poised to act and have already been able to provide tangible assistance. "

The initial response was to ship to India and Sri Lanka 800 Aquaboxes, which supply purified water, and 500 Shelterboxes, which each accommodate 10 people.

As the first boxes started arriving in troublespots this week, fundraising was underway to supply many more.

Mr Basu, from Shorne, near Gravesend, said: "We know this initial response works because it has been tried and tested in disasters over recent years. For instance, a year ago were were sending assistance to earthquake victims in Iran.

"Rotary is particularly effective in the post-emergency phase by offering practical assistance and help to our overseas Rotary contacts in the areas affected by the disaster. Again, we need more funds for the equipment, medicine and so on."

Work with a Rotary group in Southern India to provide low cost housing for homeless or poor people is likely to be extended into other devastated areas.

Factbox

Rotary Internaitonal's Kent and East Sussex District has more than 80 groups with more than 2,600 members.

Cheques made out to RIBA (Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland) should be sent to RIBA, Alcester, Warwickshire, B49 6PB, with a covering note indicating the money is for the SE Asia Disaster Relief Fund.

Aquaboxes provide drinking water for a family of four for three months and cost £49. Donations to Aquabox, P.O. Box 5398, Matlock, DE4 4ZP.