London, Jan. 12 (PTI): Mittal Steel Company, the world's largest steel producer headed by Indian steel tycoon L N Mittal, today announced that it would donate 1 million pounds (over Rs 80 millions) to tsunami relief efforts in Asia, particularly in India and Indonesia.

In addition, Ispat Indo, the steel company in Indonesia owned by the Mittal Family, has donated 100,000 US dollars to local relief efforts. It has also pledged 50 tonnes of steel and has made 100 employees available as aid volunteers.

Describing it as a horrific natural disaster, Mittal said the donations would be made available promptly to a variety of aid organizations and relief efforts, for helping with the long-term rehabilitation of the affected areas.

Specifically, the company intends to provide assistance to damaged areas of India and Indonesia. "The affected countries face a very difficult struggle in coming to terms with the disaster, mourning lost family and friends and rebuilding their communities," Mittal said.

"It is important the assistance is delivered rapidly, but it is also essential that it provides sustainable improvements to the affected areas. It is with this long-term rehabilitation that Mittal Steel would like to offer our assistance."

A spokesperson said the company is in discussions about distributing its donation to various specific rehabilitation projects such as providing boats, nets and tools to fishermen; construction of low cost houses, schools, hostels for orphaned girls, health centres and community centres, as also desanitation plants for drinking water and adoption of certain villages.