Asia tsunami response – 3 years on

Three years on from the Asian tsunami, World Vision has improved the lives of at least one million people through its largest-ever humanitarian response.

The US$300 million programme included the building of more than 12,000 homes, a substantial number of schools and health promotion interventions for 440,000 people.

Following the undersea earthquake and subsequent tsunami on 26 December 2004, World Vision began assisting affected people in five countries – Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, India and Myanmar.

Relief teams dispatched emergency aid before mounting a massive multi-year community support programme that included the building of high-quality homes and livelihood recovery.

David Taylor, Indonesia Tsunami Response Programme Director, said of the work in Aceh, Indonesia: “This was by far our biggest response ever and, after three years working in Aceh, we can look at the achievements and feel a sense of accomplishment at the scale of the work done.

“The peace agreement between the government and Acehnese separatists and the work done by international NGOs means Aceh can face the future with a sense of pride in what has been achieved.”

In Aceh, fishermen in Lhoong have enjoyed a 500% increase in income because motorised boats have increased the size of potential fishing grounds.

Successes in other affected countries include:

  • In Sri Lanka, children’s societies have helped youth learn more about advocating for their rights.
  • In India, joint ownership of land has increased, giving women property ownership rights.
  • In Thailand, thousands of mangroves trees have been planted to better protect the coastline from future possible tsunamis.

As of October 2007, US$285 million has been spent. By the end of September 2008 World Vision will have used US$309 million for relief and rehabilitation work, with an additional US$37.4 million to be spent by country offices on long-term community development work in tsunami areas.

Other highlights from the three-year programme include support for children through child friendly spaces, education and counselling; construction of 27 health clinics; provision of employment opportunities and training to more than 40,000 people; and distribution of assets including fishing boats and sewing machines.