VSO, which works through volunteers, has received in excess of 50,000 visits to its website and hundreds of phone calls from professionals wishing to travel to Asia to help the communities affected by the disaster. But the International development charity is advising those who wish to help in the immediate aftermath of the Asian tsunami that financial donations are currently the most effective form of support.

VSO chief executive, Mark Goldring, said: "VSO has been overwhelmed with calls in the last few days and it shows how strong the will to help the poorest people in the world is. However, sending new international volunteers on short-term assignments is not currently seen as helpful by local organisations, which are focussed on deploying local people with the right skills and experience. We will scale up our work in the reconstruction though and this will need more volunteers.

The VSO has 300 volunteers and staff working on long-term development projects in Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Maldives, Thailand and Sri Lanka, all of whom have been accounted for and are safe. Some of those working in the areas most affected are helping with the relief effort. VSO volunteers will play a vital role in the reconstruction of the countries, communities and infrastructures affected by the disaster. It will also be redeploying some of the volunteers it has in the region to emergency related work. However, as a charity that specialises in long-term development VSO is unable to accept offers from those looking to help the immediate relief effort.

With the UN anticipating that it could take up to 10 years for the countries affected by the tsunami to rebuild their communities, VSO says it will be in the months and years to come - when the extent of the impact on education, health and business is known - that its volunteers will be able to contribute most effectively. It is keen that those who have been motivated to volunteer in recent days are not discouraged if their skills are not needed in the short-term.

"As well as the countries affected by the tsunami, there are developing countries throughout the world that urgently need the skills and experience that have been offered to VSO over the past few days and we would encourage these professionals to formally apply." Mr Goldring suggested.

VSO recruits experienced professionals with a background in business, management, education or health who are available to volunteer for periods of one year upwards. The charity recruits people aged 18-75 from the UK, Ireland, Europe, North America, Kenya, Philippines and India. Over 1500 skilled professionals live and work alongside communities in some of the world's poorest communities. To find out more visit www.vso.org.uk/volunteering

Those wishing to offer financial support can log on to www.vso.org.uk/giving. All donations received will go to support our partners and long-term development in Asia.

Humanitarian agencies have also been inundated with calls from those wishing to offer their time. With experienced and trained relief workers already on the ground, opportunities with these charities are also limited and the most effective way the public can support the immediate relief effort is through the DEC appeal. Oxfam is also calling for 10,000 volunteers to work in its network of high street shops where they will help to administer cash donations.

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