Germany to Raise Aid to €500 million

The German government will donate €500 million ($668 million) in aid to the Indian Ocean nations devastated by last week's tsunamis, government sources said Tuesday. The decision will be approved at a special cabinet meeting on Wednesday. The German government had so far promised €20 million in aid. If the added donation is confirmed, Germany would become the biggest donor nation to the disaster-hit region so far. Japan, with a confirmed $500 million, and the US, with $350 million, are currently the biggest donors. In addition, the German public has pledged more than €90 million for the victims in south Asia, according to figures compiled by AFP on Tuesday. These figures include funds collected by organizations like the German Red Cross, the German branch of Medecins sans Frontieres (Doctors without Borders), Caritas-International, UNICEF-Germany, Aktion Deutschland Hilft -- a group of 10 aid groups and various television fund raising events.