KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — An Indonesian man has been rescued by a passing ship after surviving for eight days afloat on an uprooted tree in the Indian Ocean, Malaysian officials said today.

Rizal Shahputra, 23, from the devastated province of Aceh, lived off rainwater and coconuts that floated by. But apart from some cuts on his legs, he appeared amazingly healthy when he arrived in Malaysia's western Port Klang aboard a Malaysian cargo ship that picked him up Monday evening 100 nautical miles out to sea.

On Friday, a Malaysian tuna-fishing boat rescued a 23-year-old woman from Aceh who had clung to the trunk of a palm tree for five days after being swept out to sea.

Forecaster ousted for not giving warning

BANGKOK, Thailand — Thailand's top forecaster was removed from his job yesterday for failing to issue a warning as huge waves barreled toward tourist resorts, the prime minister said.

The country's Meteorological Department has said that it knew about the huge earthquake that struck off the coast of Indonesia's Sumatra island Dec. 26 — and the dangerous tsunami it might produce — about an hour before waves began slamming the country's southwest coast.

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra said Suparerk Thantiratanawong, director general of the Meteorological Department, had been removed from his post for failing to issue a warning.

Steps taken to ensure suitable drugs are sent

After previous disasters in which aid agencies received or shipped expired or useless drugs, charities and drug giants say they are working together to make sure that only appropriate medicines get to the tsunami victims.

The concern stems from past incidents, including a World Health Organization audit in 1999 during the Kosovo refugee crisis. That report found that half of the drugs going in were "inappropriate or useless" and would cost $34 million to destroy.

News reports at the time said shipments of lip balms and anti-smoking inhalers, rather than syringes and antibiotics, were sent to refugees fleeing to Albania.

In addition, 65 percent of the drugs were either less than one year from expiration or were missing expiration dates.

In response to such problems, many aid agencies and drug companies formed an alliance called the Partnership for Quality Medical Donations to make sure that companies follow the World Health Organization guidelines for donations.

"The great bulk that is going is entirely fresh; it's not excess inventory," said Jim Russo, executive director of the partnership. The group's members include Johnson & Johnson, Bristol-Myers Squibb and Merck.

The most pressing need is for core antibiotics and drugs for infections, such as giardia, which comes from drinking unclean water, said Cathleen Grabowski, a pharmacist with Direct Relief.

Record tsunami aid is pledged by China

BEIJING — China, whose diplomatic might has lagged its transformation into the world's seventh-largest economy, has pledged record humanitarian aid for Asia's tsunami victims, and this could expand its influence in the region.

Premier Wen Jiabao offered $60.42 million in aid on top of $2.6 million already pledged. It is now the 11th-biggest donor, with Japan and the United States in the lead.

It also has sent medical teams to Indonesia, Thailand and Sri Lanka.

The Chinese Red Cross has collected $3 million in donations, and today the Shanghai Daily reported donors lining up in the biting cold.

Also

Donations pour in: From antibiotics to clothes to cash, U.S.-based relief groups report an overwhelming response from donors moved by the devastation of the Indian Ocean tsunami, with more than $200 million raised as of yesterday. One charity said online pledges were coming in at the rate of $100,000 an hour.

Star support: Leonardo DiCaprio, who filmed "The Beach" on an island off Thailand, has donated an undisclosed "substantial" sum to UNICEF to help Thai children. A representative said the actor is also in talks to do public-service announcements urging others to donate.

TV special: Echoing the live TV aid specials that aired after Sept. 11, 2001, NBC Universal says that an hourlong special to benefit tsunami survivors will air across the company's various cable and broadcast networks Jan. 15. An NBC spokesman said it will be "music- and celebrity-driven." The special is scheduled to air live on the East Coast, starting at 8 p.m., on NBC, USA, Bravo, Trio, Sci-Fi, MSNBC and CNBC.