Islamic Development Bank pledges 500 million dollars for tsunami victims

RIYADH, Jan 6 (AFP) - The Saudi-based Islamic Development Bank (IDB) Thursday pledged 500 million dollars in aid to countries affected by the Asian quake and tsunami that has killed more than 146,000 people.
The package will be used "in relief aid operations and the reconstruction of devastated areas in the transportation, health, and education sectors," said a statement from the bank, based in the Red Sea city of Jeddah.
IDB announced on January 2 that it had allocated 10 million dollars for the tsunami victims, describing it as "only the first part of an aid package."
The December 26 quake and tidal waves it unleashed across Asia have left millions homeless.

01/06/2005 17:19 GMT - AFP