The British government on Thursday announced a further 35 million pounds (about US$62.5 million) to help the victims of the Asian earthquake that struck on Sunday.

The further donation brings Britain's total contribution to 50 million pounds, making Britain the largest bilateral donor so far to the relief effort.

"We have looked at the initial assessment from our teams on the ground. We have also received financial appeals from the Red Cross, the United Nations and from a large number of UK aid agencies. And it is now sadly clear that the scale of destruction and loss of life is increasing all the time," British International Development Secretary Hilary Benn said in a statement.

"I have said from the start of this crisis that we would make available the money needed...We will use this money to respond to appeals from international aid agencies and to help get relief supplies to the countries affected," the statement said.

"Today, we are airlifting World Health Organization medical supplies to Indonesia because there is an urgent need for medical support. We are providing ten emergency health kits that each provides basic medical supplies for ten thousand people for three months," the statement added.

Earlier on Thursday, British charities announced that they have so far raised 15 million pounds in aid for Asian earthquake victims.

(Xinhua News Agency December 31, 2004)