US President George W. Bush on Monday appealed for Americans to donate to the victims in the nations hit by the Indian Ocean tsunami disaster.

"The greatest source of America's generosity is not our government, it's the good heart of the American people. In the week since the tsunami struck, private citizens have contributed millions of dollars for disaster relief and reconstruction," Bush said at a press conference flanked by his father, former presidentGeorge Bush as well as Bill Clinton.

Bush said US organizations such as the Red Cross and the Red Crescent have responded rapidly after the tsunamis disaster and "they have reported an outpouring of generosity from around the world."

To draw even greater amounts of private donations, Bush said hetapped his father and Clinton to head a nationwide charitable fund-raising effort.

"I ask every American to contribute as they are able to do so,"Bush said.

Bush said the US government has made an initial commitment of 350 million dollars for disaster relief and it is working with theUnited Nations and with governments around the world to coordinatethe international relief efforts.

Bush has been under criticism for responding slowly to the Dec.26 disaster which has killed more than 140,000 people.

Source: Xinhua