The recent earthquake and massive tsunamis that have swept through South and South East Asia has killed thousands and left many more homeless.

Countries that are particularly affected are Sri Lanka, India, Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand.

NGOs around the world are preparing for a huge effort to help the people of these areas to recover and to prevent the situation from dramatically worsening through the spread of diseases in particular malaria, and diarrhoea.

One of the closest areas to the epicentre of the earthquake was war-torn Indonesian province Aceh in Northern Sumatra. The estimated death toll is rising rapidly and is currently believed to be at 5,000. Buildings including a major hotel the Kuala Tripa Hotel have collapsed. Roads and bridges have similarly been damaged.

The Acheh Support Group commented, "The massive damage caused by these natural disasters is very likely to be unnecessarily compounded by the Indonesian government's banning of media and humanitarian organisations in Acheh. These bans are in place to hide the state's systematic abuse of the Achehnese people since the latest all-out offensive began in 2003."