Australia will provide US$500,000 to a UN Flash Appeal to help the Seychelles recover from the Indian Ocean tsunami, Bruce Billson, Australian parliamentary secretary for foreign affairs and trade announced here on Tuesday.

"Our contribution to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs Flash Appeal will provide shelter for families and also be used to rebuild infrastructure and help with general economic recovery," Billson said on the sideline of the ongoing UN conference on the future of small islands.

"The funds will be channeled through the United Nations Development Program," he added.

The tsunami left one person in the Seychelles dead and caused serious damage to infrastructure on the coastal areas of Mahe and Prashlin island and damaged coastal parts of La Digue and Cerf Islands.

The fishing sector has been extensively affected, with many vessels either damaged or lost. Crops have been destroyed. Bridges, roads, the fishing port, jetties, hotels, public utilities, houses, water and sanitation have been damaged. Three hotels had to close.

The economy of the Seychelles is heavily dependent on tourism. Australia aid will be important in helping to restore services quickly, Billson said.

Australia has so far provided more than US$1 billion in emergency relief and long-term reconstruction to countries affected by the Indian Ocean tsunami.

(Xinhua News Agency January 12, 2005)