The United Nations Foundation and the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation have added their support to relief efforts in tsunami-devastated areas of South Asia.

Last week, the Washington, D.C.-based United Nations Foundation announced a $5 million commitment designed to strengthen the UN's rapid response capabilities in the three hardest-hit countries — Sri Lanka, Indonesia, and the Maldives — and enhance its critical communications and logistics capacities.

Working closely with its direct counterpart, the United Nations Fund for International Partnerships, the organization is partnering with a number of corporations, foundations, and donors around the world to support immediate and longer-term rehabilitation efforts. "As Secretary-General Annan has made clear, the reconstruction and rehabilitation effort will require resources and commitment for years to come. This is why we are working to develop innovative partnerships that focus on both the short-term and long-term rebuilding that lies ahead," said UN Foundation founder and chairman Ted Turner.

In Seattle, meanwhile, the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation announced grants of $500,000 each to three humanitarian organizations, Mercy Corps, Northwest Medical Teams, and World Vision, all of which are based in the Pacific Northwest. In addition to the grants from the foundation, the NFL's Seattle Seahawks and the NBA's Portland Trail Blazers, both owned by Allen, collected $200,000 from fans and players at recent home games to support Mercy Corps and Northwest Medical Teams' emergency responses in the affected areas.

"We are cognizant of the pleas made by relief agency officials, and others who have spent time in the areas of devastation, that funds need to be forthcoming quickly so that relief efforts continue without interruption," said foundation executive director Jo Allen Patton. "In addition, we understand the medium and long-term assistance needs for rebuilding programs, and will continue to evaluate our level of support moving forward."