UNITED NATIONS, Jan 3: UN Secretary General Kofi Annan said on Monday he would attend a conference in Jakarta this week to launch an appeal for funds for the relief work in the aftermath of the tsunami.

He said at a press conference: "We'll send two messages: a message of determination by the leaders of the region and the international community to do whatever it can, whatever is necessary to help give them relief and to help them put their lives back together.

The second, I hope it will give them a message of hope that they are not alone, that their leaders are joined by the international community and we are all determined to pool our efforts to improve their situation and get them out of their misery."