The UK Government has dispatched a relief flight to Sri Lanka carrying sufficient temporary shelter for more than 5,000 families made homeless in the earthquake and subsequent tidal waves that struck large swathes of the Indian Ocean seaboard yesterday.

Five thousand large tarpaulins and 250 tents will leave Gatwick this evening on a DC10 as an immediate response to an appeal from the Sri Lankan Government. The Department for International Development (DFID) already has a three-person disaster assessment team in Sri Lanka, working with the British High Commission to help local authorities assess needs in the wake of the tidal waves.

Gareth Thomas, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for International Development said: ?This contribution of tarpaulins and tents represents an important contribution from the British Government in the wake of the tsunami that has affected Sri Lanka. At this stage in the emergency, relief items such as emergency shelter are vitally important in saving lives and alleviating suffering.\'

DFID responses to date:

DFID has despatched an assessment team to Sri Lanka. Two more staff are on standby for the Maldives.

Following the request from the Government of Sri Lanka for international support, we have despatched an aircraft with plastic sheeting and tents on 27 December. Total value of contribution ?250,000.00 (approx).

The UK share (18%) of EU funding for the International Red Cross Emergency Appeal amounts to (?372,000 (approx)).

We have provided team members for two UN Disaster Assessment and Coordination Teams.

We have provided $100,000 (?55,000 (approx)) to the World Health Organisation to facilitate the mobilisation of assessment and response teams.

For further information contact DFID Press Office, Tel 020 7023 0600