(ABP) -- Volunteers are not needed to help yet with the relief effort in South Asia, but they need to be prepared for action.

Relief leaders, including Baptists from around the world, continue assessing needs in the countries affected by a series of seismic sea waves and are beginning to send teams into the region. Though these initial teams are full, more volunteers potentially could be needed.

The American Red Cross, which also currently has no need for volunteers to work in South Asia, has medical and relief teams in the tsunami region. More workers will be sent to help in the area.

Texas Baptist Men and North Carolina Baptist Men, among others, have advance teams in the region or en route, selecting relief sites and making preparations for later volunteer teams. Both are focusing on water purification, which is key to avoiding deadly diseases that often follow natural disasters.

North Carolina Baptist Men have a four-person advance team on the ground in Galle, Sri Lanka, as of Jan. 11. Texas Baptist Men is sending seven teams to purify water and provide meals in Sri Lanka. Each team consists of 10 people, who will be replaced every two weeks by fresh workers.

"At the present time, we are only sending trained and experienced volunteers in," said Leo Smith, executive director of TBM. "This is essential in the early stages of a disaster, especially in a foreign country."

Additional volunteers undoubtedly will be needed, since several Christian organizations have committed to serving for an extended period of time. But most relief groups send trained and experienced volunteers first.

Individuals usually can receive training through each relief organization, including the American Red Cross. Volunteers learn the procedures and safety techniques of disaster relief, including how to handle cultural, physical, emotion and spiritual difficulties.

Texas Baptist Men said if the organization runs out of trained workers it will use skilled volunteers who enlist.

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