Lockwood claimed the timing was urgent as the federal government's deadline for matching donations was the next day at midnight.The Red Cross has already deposited the cheque, but has indicated it will return the money.In the meantime, the confirmed death toll will continue to climb, as may deaths due to dehydration, disease, and starvation.warns of delaysDespite the encouraging promises, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in Indonesia chief, Michael Elmquist, warned that logistics of securing the funds, purchasing supplies and shipping them to stricken regions will take time, possibly weeks.Tsunami deaths mount to more than 120,000Saturday, January 1, 2005Nearly a week after tsunami waves scoured the coasts of multiple countries in southern Asia, the confirmed death count is over 120,000.citizens donating in 2005 to help tsunami victims may write off their donations on their 2004 tax returns, thanks to a bill quickly passed in the U.S.The law is intended to promote donating towards the tsunami relief effort.CBS News reports Indiana University's Center on Philanthropy is estimating approximately 322 million U.S.Aid pledges rise; Japan promises 500,000,000 USDSaturday, January 1, 2005In an abrupt about-face, the world's wealthiest nations have begun pouring funding into the Earthquake/Tsunami damaged region.About 1 million people are homeless and humanitarian agencies estimate that 5 million people need relief.".dollars in goods and cash have been donated by private U.S.The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 5 million people lack food, water or basic sanitation necessary for survival.