MTV's Asia Awards, their VMAs, scheduled for Feb. 3 at Impact Arena in Bangkok, has been turned into a global benefit, MTV Asia Aid.

MTV Networks International President Bill Roedy and MTV Networks Asia Pacific head Frank Brown made the announcement.

Said Roedy: "MTV International is uniquely positioned to help in this recovery. The Asia Aid benefit is part of MTV Networks' wider global response, utilizing all of our resources, including our global network, to add to the worldwide response."

MTV's global network includes 42 channels reaching over 1 billion people, including over 450 million across Asia.

Added Brown: "MTV Asia Aid will be the initial focus of MTV Networks Asia's ongoing support of the recovery efforts. MTV Asia Aid will reflect the resilience and the spirit of the people of Asia as we come together to rebuild and look towards the future."

MTV Networks Asia has partnered with UNICEF as the major recipient of funds collected from the event.

"The kind of attention that MTV can bring to the devastation faced by the millions of people affected by the tsunami is invaluable," said UNICEF Communications Director Sharad Sapra. "It is important now, and it will become even more important in the future as the world community joins hands with governments, local communities and families to begin the long and arduous process of reconstruction and recovery."

Specific details about MTV Asia Aid, the artists that will perform at the event, the fund raising mechanisms and corporate partnerships in support of the event will be announced shortly.

There will still be MTV Asia Awards 2005 programming on MTV Asia channels, announcing the categories and winners. Details of the program broadcast times will continue to be promoted on-air and online across the region.