US doubles aid after 'stingy' West is attacked

A row over the "stingy" response of rich nations to the tsunami disaster broke out today as the United States was forced to double its aid effort.

Tory MPs described Britain's £1million pledge as "peanuts", and US secretary of state Colin Powell hit back after a United Nations chief attacked "stingy" rich countries.

Jan Egeland, the UN's aid co-ordinator, said the catastrophe is the biggest ever natural-disaster and help is urgently needed.

"It is beyond me why we are so stingy," he said. "Christmas time should remind many western countries at least how rich we have become."

Within hours, the US boosted its pledge of $15million by $20 million and Mr Powell said: "We will do more." He insisted: "The United States is not stingy. We are the greatest contributor to international relief efforts in the world."

The US is sending 15,000 troops to the region, with two air carriers and battle fleets carrying supplies and water purification equipment.

Britain is paying for an aid flight carrying £250,000 worth of tents and plastic sheets to Sri Lanka. A further £380,000 has been pledged by the UK to the EU's aid effort, with £55,000 for the World Health Organisation.