The world's third largest cement company, Mexico's CEMEX, pledged Friday to create a fund of more than US$2 million to help the tsunami victims in Southeast Asia.

The company said in a statement that it "commits to donate a minimum of US$2 million for this fund." The money will be channeled into the region through the United Nations system.

The employees will also donate a percentage of their salary.

The CEMEX branch in Indonesia donated 15,000 dollars to Doctors Without Borders (MSF), and has provided technical assistance to the organization.

The firm also works in coordination with Thailand's authorities in the search for survivors and victims of the tidal waves, and helps to find missing Mexicans.

Through this way, "we help in supporting companies working at the most affected area," said CEMEX Director General Lorenzo Zambrano.

Mexican President Vicente Fox announced Thursday night the government will donate an additional 1 million dollars to support the regions hit by an 8.7-magnitude earthquake and subsequent tsunami that hit the shores of the Indian Ocean.

(Xinhua News Agency January 8, 2005)