EAST LONDON - Various organisations have set up fundraising systems to help tsunami victims and are calling on South Africans for help.

The South African Red Cross Society announced on Wednesday night that the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies would need about R350 million to help tsunami victims.

South African Red Cross Society secretary-general Leslie Mondo said a previous public appeal by the Red Cross on Monday for R37m was reached within 12 hours by people pledging help from all around the world.

"This monies will now bring some immediate relief to operations in Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and other countries in the region," said Mondo.

Donations from individuals who wish to help can be made to:

lAbsa Bank

Account name: The South African Red Cross Society

Branch: Heerengracht, Cape Town

Account number: 40-5259-8774

Deposit slips should clearly state 'Asia Appeal' and be faxed to: 0214186644.

Mondo said donors were asked to supply their contact details so that they could be recognised for their support.

Mondo can be contacted on 0832862589 or via e-mail: imondo@redcross.org.za for further information.

lFirst National Bank has also come to the aid of tsunami victims. The bank has set up the Tsunami Disaster Relief Fund, which will be operational from today.

Account Name: FNB Trust- Tsunami Disaster Relief Fund

Account Number: 62075380049

Branch Number: 255005

Branch Name: FNB Corporate Account Services, Johannesburg.

The bank will publish regular updates on the fund on its website, www.fnb.co.za

"The money raised will be expended in conjunction with initiatives of the government," said FNB CEO Michael Jordaan.

lA Johannesburg-based company has also come forward and "donated" an sms number for use in raising funds for tsunami victims.

A fundraising co-ordinator for Phagimisa Projects in Durban, Theresa Watermeyer, will be managing the number and has appealed to individuals and the corporate sector to come forward and make use of the number.

The number is 38727 and callers should send the word "help" at a cost of R10 per sms.

"We believe the number, which anyone who has a cellphone can use, will make it so much easier to pledge help for the tsunami victims," said Watermeyer.

Individuals can send as many SMSs as they wish to the number, which is being publicised by SABC radio broadcasts.

Watermeyer said those wanting to make substantially larger donations should contact her on 0312617720 or cell 0733694328.

Proceeds generated would either go to the Red Cross or the UN, she said.

lThe National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has also come forward and is appealing for funding to help animals in the region.

In a statement it said: "We assure the public that our appeal to help the animals does not mean we put animals first, but indicates we have a sense of duty and a deep concern for the animals.

"We are appealing for funding to forward to the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA), whose relief efforts are being co-ordinated."

Contributions can be made to: NSPCA, PO Box 1320, Alberton, 1450 or paid directly into the bank account of the NSPCA:

Bank: Standard Bank

Account name: NSPCA

Account number: 201032015

Branch code: 006405

lAmong the international organisations already assisting tsunami victims are: Oxfam, Save the Children Fund and Action Against Hunger.

According to a Sapa-AFP report, the International Monetary Fund has also pledged to assist in the tsunami catastrophe, but said humanitarian aid must come first.