Secretary-General Kofi Annan has offered UN help to help the victims of Hurricane Katrina and said international help could supplement US efforts to deal with the disaster.
"The American people who have always been the most generous in responding to disasters in other parts of the world, have now themselves suffered a grievous blow," Mr Annan said yesterday.
"I know that I speak for the whole world in offering them my heartfelt sympathy, and any assistance that the United Nations can give."
His offer came as the US relief operation came under criticism for failing to help hundreds of thousands of people in New Orleans and along the devastated Gulf coast.
Although the United States is the country best prepared to deal with a major disaster, Mr Annan said, "the damage is far worse than any of us imagined at first.
"The sheer size of this emergency makes it possible that we can supplement the American response with supplies from other countries, or with experience we have gained in other relief operations," he said in a statement. "I know we will not be alone."
PA