IT is one story among hundreds of thousands.

Tonight we report the dramatic experience of Ryedale student Aimee Donald, who was swept away when the tidal wave hit her Sri Lankan hotel before being pulled to safety by other survivors gathered on the roof of another building.

Her lucky escape brings this terrible disaster to our doorstep. But the full reality of what has happened in South-East Asia remains barely comprehensible.

Each bulletin brings a revised toll of tragedy. Tens of thousands are dead.

And for every life already lost another person could die as disease takes hold.

No one could save those washed away by the sea surge. But we can - and must - do everything possible to ensure those who survived this nightmare do not perish in its aftermath.

The catastrophe could not have struck at a worse time. Many Government, UN and aid agency officials were on holiday, slowing the West's response. The first help began arriving in the affected countries yesterday.

However, without effective leadership and co-ordination, our response to this most dispersed disaster will be wanting. It is a moment for the UN to prove its worth.

Meanwhile, we needn't be immobilised by the scale of the suffering. We can all help.

The letter contained in the story listed above this one in our index explains how to give to UNICEF. Other major aid agencies can also translate a donation, however small, into real help for the victims.

Updated: 11:42 Wednesday, December 29, 2004