More than 100 representatives from the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement in about 50 countries and regions gathered in Hong Kong Thursday to set out its long-term plan of reconstruction for survivors of the devastating earthquake and tsunami on Dec. 26, 2004.

The three-day Hong Kong Forum will discuss how to best coordinate and support relief assistance in the tsunami-hit countries until the end of 2005 as well as implement recovery programs which will extend to 2010 and beyond, said Juan Manuel Suarez del Toro, president of the International Federation of Red Cross & Red Crescent Societies, at the opening ceremony.

He also highlighted the immediate and essential response of Red Cross and Red Crescent volunteers and staff to help survivors in the first crucial days following the disaster and in the ongoing relief operation.

The tsunami left about 286,000 people dead and 7,900 missing in a number of south Asia and southeast Asian countries.
 
(Xinhua News Agency March 4, 2005)