Prime Minister Kevin Rudd will announce today the $52 million initiative that will enable the rapid response of Australia to emergencies such as civil war, earthquake or tsunamis within the Asia Pacific region.

Mr Rudd's announcement will be a key message to the region when he addresses the East Asia Summit today, which brings together leaders from 10 ASEAN nations plus Australia, New Zealand, Japan, China, South Korea and India.

Talks will also focus on economic and financial cooperation as the region emerges from the global downturn.

The move is a reaction to the recent natural disasters in Indonesia, Samoa and Tonga nations which required significant and rapid assistance in the wake of a devastating tsumami and series of earthquakes.

For more, pick up a copy of today's Canberra Times