TWO local monks have joined a group of 50 Hare Krishna volunteers on a trip to Sri Lanka to help the tsunami victims.

Vaikuntha Krishna das and Niti Laksa das, two monks of Bhaktivedanta Manor Hare Krishna temple in Aldenham joined a team of European and American volunteers on their way to the disaster area.

Mahakarta das, the co-ordinator of the Hare Krishna Sri Lanka relief effort, has made a special request for volunteers from Europe to help set up a huge encampment dedicated to cooking and feeding thousands of hungry people every day.

Vaikuntha Krishna das said: "I want to go and help out in Sri Lanka because I see it as fulfilling a personal responsibility, as well as it being very much part of my faith.

"Feeding people in need is a central activity in the Hare Krishna movement, and so we are well-equipped and trained to deal with the immense amount of work that lies ahead. But even more important is the long-term rehabilitation of the victims, including psychological counselling, chaplaincy, new homes and schools as well as employment and livelihood."

Since December 30, more than 500,000 vegetarian meals have been distributed by the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON).

This relief work will continue indefinitely and work is now well under way in some of the hardest-hit Sri Lankan coastal towns and inland communities including Trincomalee and Hambantota. Unlike the food from many of the other aid agencies, ISKCON provides hot meals.

You can help tsunami victims in India by donating to Bhaktivedanta Manor's appeal. Cheques can be made payable to "ISKCON-Tsunami Flood Appeal", and sent to Tsunami Flood Appeal, Bhaktivedanta Manor, Aldenham, Watford, Herts WD25 8EZ. Donations are also accepted by VISA/Mastercard on the phone. Telephone 01923 856848 or 07713 133313 or 07720 843099.