"UN disaster assessment and coordination teams are being dispatched throughout the region to work with governments of affected countries in providing rescue and relief assistance," said a spokesman for UN Secretary General Kofi Annan.

"The United Nations stands ready to provide the assistance necessary to meet the needs created by these natural disasters," said the spokesman, who added that Annan had been "profoundly saddened to learn of the massive loss of life and destruction caused by a series of earthquakes and tidal waves in the western Pacific and Indian Oceans today.

"He extends his sincere condolences to the people and governments of the countries affected as they cope with their catastrophic losses."

According to a provisional toll from several countries more, than 10,000 people were killed by the tidal waves sparked by a massive earthquake under the sea off Sumatra in Indonesia.

The UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) said its offices circling the Indian Ocean are assessing damage and that hundreds of thousands of children and their families in jeopardy.

"The power of this earthquake, and its huge geographical reach, are just staggering," said UNICEF executive director Carol Bellamy.

"Hundreds of thousands of children in coastal communities in six countries may be in serious jeopardy," she said in a statement.

"We're supporting governments in their damage assessments, and we're prepared to respond wherever help is needed."

All UNICEF offices in the region have been mobilized to support relief efforts, said a UNICEF statement. "Emergency supplies are on stand-by at the UNICEF global supply hub in Copenhagen and relief flights can be launched at any hour."

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