The World Bank will redirect money from existing projects in the Asian nations devastated by earthquakes and flooding to provide immediate assistance for reconstruction, officials of the bank said on Monday.

A broader relief package for long-term efforts will follow to help the region recover from the damage, World Bank spokesman Damian Milverton said.

However, the spokesman said that no details were available because the response by the World Bank to the disaster was still being determined.

"It's very tough to work out, at this point in time, what's needed and where," he said. "It really does come down to our guys in each country talking to the governments there to help them workout what is needed straight away."
 
(Xinhua News Agency December 28, 2004)