Construction minister Nigel Griffiths has stepped in to aid the tsunami clear-up and reconstruction operation

Griffiths said that he had been liaising with the RICS construction facility in a bid to set up a register of chartered surveyors and companies that are experts on international floods and infrastructure services.

He said: “This would be distributed to all [aid] agencies, embassies and department for international development in a bid to facilitate how to maximise value and expertise.”

An RICS spokesperson said the register was being supported by construction aid charity RedR, which was co-ordinating the list.

The spokesperson added: “The RICS is in contact with its members and other professional bodies to assess how best to respond to the disaster.”

This register would be distributed to maximise value

Nigel Griffiths

The RICS is asking any members or member firms with experience in disaster relief and reconstruction to contact the body at contactrics@rics.org or telephone +44 (0)870 333 1600.

The RICS has also set up a working group to contribute ideas on minimising the impact of future natural disasters and the most effective means of recovering from them. The body is looking for volunteers to serve on the group, either directly or as corresponding members.

In December, RedR launched a website at www.onlinejobs.redr.org, which allows skilled aid and development professionals to search and apply for suitable vacancies and to register their details online. Suitable candidates will be automatically sent opportunities matching their skills as they arise.