Yellowknife (Jan 12/05) - With the death toll in Southeast Asia rising daily from the catastrophic tsunami that struck on Boxing Day, two Yellowknifers have decided to participate in the massive humanitarian effort from ground zero.

Cliff Sutherland and Amy Maund will be going to Southeast Asia. - Andrew Raven/NNSL photo

Amy Maund, 20, and Cliff Sutherland, 23, will leave for the Sri Lankan coast on Feb. 4, where they hope to help some of the millions of people affected by the disaster.

Maud and Sutherland will board with a Sri Lankan family somewhere outside of the capital, Colombo. With the relief effort -- already the largest in history -- just getting under way, the pair are not sure where they will be stationed.

"I could be placed in a medical aid station or an orphanage," said Maund. "I don't really have a preference. I just want to help."

Sutherland, a volunteer at the Side Door youth centre, said he is willing to do whatever is necessary. "Whether it's helping to build homes or hauling water, it doesn't matter," he said.

They are scheduled to spend roughly a month in Sri Lanka, where more than 25,000 people are estimated dead after gigantic waves -- spurred by an underwater earthquake that measured 9.0 on the Richter scale -- crashed ashore.

"I know it will be a stressful situation and a lot of work" Maund said. "But they need the help."

Maund and Sutherland are looking to raise $5,000 for the trip, more than half of which will go towards airfare.

"It is expensive," said Maund, who received round trip airfare to Edmonton from Canadian North.

The pair has just begun their fundraising efforts. Individuals and business hoping to help cover the travel costs should know "the money raised will go directly to the relief effort," Maund said.

Sutherland said donations can be dropped at Jose Locos.

More than 150,000 people are estimated dead in five countries as a result of the disaster, and the number could rise substantially because of disease and starvation.