Countries around the globe have stepped forward with pledges of cash and assistance to the victims of the southern Asian earthquake and tsunami disaster. The following is a list of contributions pledged. AUSTRALIA: Australia sent four air force transport planes with supplies and medical specialists to the western Indonesian island of Sumatra and committed $7.6 million to the international relief effort. BELGIUM: The government is sending a military airbus with 22 tonnes of aid from Medecins Sans Frontieres and UNICEF to Sri Lanka. BRITAIN: London sent an aircraft with plastic sheets and tents worth 250,000 pounds ($481,500) to Sri Lanka. It said it was contributing 370,000 pounds to the EU aid effort and a further $100,000 to the World Health Organisation for relief efforts. CANADA: Canada said it would make an initial contribution of 1 million Canadian dollars ($814,300) to an appeal for some $6.5 million by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). CHINA: China said it would airlift emergency aid to stricken countries. --More 2327 Local Time 2027 GMT
