THE internet has come into its own following the tsunami disaster in Asia, proving just how powerful a tool it can be.

As well as providing opportunities for people to get messages home via various websites, they have helped one youngster be reunited with his father.

The photograph of an 18-month-old Swedish boy was posted on the web by medical staff, when he was bought in after being found at the side of the road in Phuket.

His photo was then posted via websites and e-mail all around the world, and after being spotted by his uncle he was finally reunited with his father Marko.

The BBC website covers the events in great depth. As well as all the latest news, they show the scientific reasoning, video reports and include miracle stories, to remind people with loved ones missing that there's still hope.

Collection buckets and fundraisers for the survivors of the disaster are everywhere but if you want to know exactly where you're money will go make a pledge at www.dec.org.uk now, the home of the official website of the Disasters Emergency Committee.

Even Ebay has played its part by auctioning off the shirts of the cricketers who played in a charity match. The game between an Asian XI and World XI raised 14.6million Australian dollars on the day but since then the figure has kept on rising.

Every shirt worn on the day was put up for auction and Shane Warne's alone raised nearly £57,000!