JAKARTA, Jan. 6 (Xinhuanet) -- World leaders, envoys and heads of international organizations gathered in Jakarta Thursday for an emergency meeting to show solidarity with the Dec. 26 tsunami victims and explore ways for relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction in the affected countries.

    The meeting was held under the auspices of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and UN Secretary General Kofi Annan and drew participants from 10 ASEAN countries, China, South Korea, Australia, the United States, Japan, the United Nations, the European Union and the World Health Organization.

    Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono delivered an opening speech in the capacity of chairman of the meeting, which took place 11 days after the tidal waves claimed 145,000 lives in a dozen countries in Asia and Africa.

    Susilo called for more help for children in the affected countries and global cooperation to cope with the disaster.

    "Many today are in danger of dying of diseases and the death toll must not be allowed to rise any further," the president said.

    Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao told the one-day gathering that China is willing to make contributions to relief efforts and reconstruction in the tsunami-stricken area.

    The Chinese people "are ready to lend a helping hand in this time of trouble," Wen said. He made a seven-point proposal on relief efforts and reconstruction, which includes provision of emergency relief, revival of tourism, establishment of a disaster early-warning mechanism and better information exchange.

    Wen pledged Chinese government's additional 20 million US dollars in aid.

    UN Secretary General Kofi Annan said the exact magnitude of howmany men, women and children perished on Dec. 26 may never be known and the real figure is likely to exceed 150,000.

    Annan said about 977 million US dollars was immediately needed to cover humanitarian emergency needs for 5 million tsunami survivors over the next six months.

    "We must set the stage for efforts in the longer term, as we move from saving lives to recovery and reconstruction," Annan said.

    US Secretary of State Colin Powell said all further relief efforts would be under the leadership of the United Nations.

    After almost around-the-clock shuttle diplomacy and intensive discussions, participants issued the Declaration on Action to Strengthen Emergency Relief, Rehabilitation, Reconstruction and Prevention on the Aftermath of Earthquake and Tsunami Disaster.

    They agreed to support ASEAN's decision to establish regional mechanisms on disaster prevention and mitigation and to promote national and regional human and institutional capacity, transfer of scientific know-how and technology in building and managing a regional early warning system and disaster management through international cooperation.

    Some experts have said that the death toll could have been lower if there had been a tsunami early warning system, such as the one established among Pacific nations.

    At the meeting, the affected countries including Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, the Maldives and India made their presentations to donor countries to give them a clearer picture of what kind of aid is needed.

    The UN chief said at least half a million people were injured, more than one million people are displaced, nearly 2 million people need food aid, and many more need water, sanitation and health care.

    The participants welcomed the initiative of several countries on the moratorium of payments of the external debts of the affected countries to help their rehabilitation and reconstructionefforts.

    They agreed to promote and encourage private sector participation in and contribution to the rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts. Enditem