Aid efforts push into stricken areas

Dozens of governmental agencies, private relief groups and international organizations are moving deeper into areas destroyed by last week’s tsunami and flooding in Asia and Africa, a vast and complicated effort that is costing millions of dollars and hopes to invest billions to rebuild the region.

The United States has pledged $350 million toward relief and reconstruction. The United Nations’ reported contributions had reached more than $1.5 billion, not including loans. Private donations are adding millions more.

Secretary of State Colin L. Powell and Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, in the region yesterday to assess damage from the natural disaster, said relief efforts face logistical difficulties but are progressing.

“There is no shortage of money at the moment. The international organizations are being adequately provided for now, but there will be needs in the future,” Mr. Powell said.

Mr. Powell is scheduled to meet with counterparts from Southeast Asia and Europe on Thursday in Jakarta, Indonesia, and separately with officials from India, Japan and Australia — members of a working group organized by President Bush — to coordinate relief and reconstruction work. A U.N. donor conference is set for next Tuesday in Geneva.

Several relief groups said they looked to the United Nations as coordinating emergency efforts, although officially there is no single agency in charge. U.S. and U.N. officials said there is no tug of war to coordinate relief, and the final roles in the effort have not been determined.

“There is no organization standing in place, ready to deal with something like this,” Mr. Powell said.

While politicians coordinate the big picture, international, governmental and private aid workers on the ground are struggling with lack of transportation, damaged roads and other logistical problems as they try to speed relief to wrecked areas.

More than 139,000 are dead in 12 nations, while millions more are left homeless, the United Nations said.

Many of the public and private groups involved in the ongoing relief effort have long-standing relationships and have worked together on development projects and relief programs. Many have their own niches.

“We have our very specialized focuses. That’s what makes us impact players in these emergencies,” said John Sauer, spokesman for Action Against Hunger.

Action Against Hunger, an international relief group, was already working in Sri Lanka. Since the tsunami, its staff has been building temporary latrines, trucking in water and transporting bodies to hospitals and morgues.

The American Red Cross is focusing on providing food and making sure that shipments reach people who need them.

“We want to make sure relief is … not just sitting in an airport hangar,” said Darren Irby, a spokesman.

Dozens of private groups turned local development projects into emergency relief efforts.

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