The estimate, given during a press conference summing up Caritas activities in the region almost a year after the massive tidal wave devastated Indian Ocean shores, was based on local Caritas data which is in variance to official figures.

"In (Indonesia's) Banda Aceh alone, official figures speak of 1,500 victims but local communities speak of 25,000 dead," ANSA news agency quoted Caritas' Paolo Beccegato as saying.

The Thailand toll also did not take into account a large number of illegal immigrants from Myanmar.

According to a Caritas leaflet published Wednesday the charity collected 450 million dollars (380 million euros) throughout the world for immediate and long-term assistance to tsunami survivors.

In India food and emergency aid was provided to 118,554 families, 3,000 temporary shelters were built and 2,500 fishermen and 5,000 women working in the fish processing industry were assisted to relaunch their activity.

The aid group also pledged to built 17,000 houses and trained 8,000 people for new jobs.

In Indonesia, where hospitals, health centers and schools were built, more than 250,000 people received emergency aid and 25,000 people were treated for psychological trauma. Caritas said it also promised to build 20,000 new homes.

"We will not leave the affected area any time soon," it said.

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