A BRITISH Red Cross aid flight flew out of Kent International Airport last night destined for the tsunami disaster area in the Maldives.

The flight contained almost 1,000 hygiene kits, which were assembled last week by volunteers including, Prince Harry and Prince William at the charity’s warehouse in Bristol.

The flight also carried generators to provide electricity to 30,000 families on the islands.

The hygiene kits containing toilet rolls, sanitary towels, toothbrushes, toothpaste, razors, soap and large bars of clothes washing soap will be distributed among the thousands of displaced families that have congregated on the capital island, Male.

Paul Anticoni, head of international aid at the British Red Cross, said: "There is little doubt many communities, particularly in the south, have been devastated, and 13 islands have been virtually destroyed, with their populations evacuated to other islands.

“These essential non-food relief items are fulfilling the immediate needs of those people most affected by the disaster."

A British Red Cross 'FACT' Team (Field Assessment and Co-ordination Team) arrived in the Maldives on January 1 to carry out assessments and ensure that aid reaching the island is being distributed to those most in need. Many inhabitants have lost virtually everything and the impact of the disaster has been felt by the whole country, with up to a third of the population having been seriously affected.

The Red Cross is currently working on plans for the next three to 12 months, as it begins to focus on assisting communities to rebuild their lives and their livelihoods.