If you want to help the people of South Asia after the Indian Ocean tsunami, the major British aid agencies all recommend giving cash as the most effective thing you can do.

All recommend contributions via the main Disasters Emergency Committee appeal, although they will take individual contributions. "Cash is the lifeblood of rapid response. It can be instantly transferred and converted into whatever is most needed, anywhere in the world," says the British Red Cross on its tsunami relief website. A basket of food or goods that you could buy for the Red Cross costing you £35, they could buy for just £8 with your money.

Shaista Aziz, an Oxfam spokeswoman, says that organisation has been overwhelmed by contributions (£5 million so far) and donations to its shops. It's also received many phone calls from people who want to go the region to help, but is discouraging them from doing so. If you've got some spare time, Oxfam needs 10,000 volunteers to help in its shops. Or if you want to do something more personal, try Oxfam Unwrapped - where you can buy specific supplies for people affected by the tsunamis, for example 50 life-saving 'Oxfam buckets' for £115.

News and pictures

For the clearest overview of all the relief efforts under way in the countries affected by Sunday's tsunami, try the reliefweb.int site.

Reuters news and pictures from the region can be found on the alertnet.org site, which also acts as a clearing-house for information between aid agencies and NGOs.

Wildlife photographer Hellmut Issels posted some stunning pictures from Phuket on the pbase.com site of the tsunami's arrival at the Thai resort island.

Explore World News

• World Agenda

• Iraq News

• US & Americas News

• Europe News

• Middle East News

• Asia News

• Africa News

• Ireland News

Times Recommends

• Michael Jackson: Not the final chapter
• Indian Army spends10m rupees on golf buggies
• Brüno toned down for 15 rating