NAGAPATTINAM, India - Former President Clinton said Friday there was enough money available for rebuilding the tsunami-ravaged regions of Asia, but coordination between aid groups and local authorities will be crucial.

Clinton said it was critical for aid groups and local officials to make sure the money pledged by donor nations and agencies is actually used for tsunami survivors.

"Money is not going to be a problem," Clinton said as he wound up a tour of the tsunami-hit southern Indian coast and headed for neighboring Sri Lanka. He said aid groups have $3 billion collected from the United States, Europe, and other countries.

Clinton, recently appointed United Nations special envoy for tsunami recovery, is touring the region to oversee reconstruction efforts in India, Sri Lanka, the Maldives and Indonesia. The Dec. 26 tsunami killed more than 173,000 people in 11 nations and wreaked widespread destruction of homes and property.

Clinton praised India's success in handling the disaster, but urged the government and the aid groups to move quickly to provide permanent shelters for homeless survivors.

The Indian government, which declined foreign help for immediate relief work after the disaster, quickly built tens of thousands of temporary shelters for survivors. It now faces the challenge of building them permanent homes and restoring their livelihoods. New Delhi also helped Sri Lanka and Indonesia - the hardest hit countries - with relief work.

"India has done an excellent job," Clinton said. "The world community appreciates India for going to the help of other countries."

Clinton was speaking after a daylong survey of the southern Indian district of Nagapattinam, where he heard gritty stories of survival and recovery in impoverished communities devastated by the tsunami.

"He told us he can never forget our stories," K. Parameshwaran said after meeting Clinton. Parameshwaran and his wife lost their three children and seven relatives to the deadly waves.