2004 TSUNAMI: Five years later

The Indian Ocean tsunami sent shockwaves through the world when it hit on the morning of December 26, 2004. Triggered by one of the most powerful earthquakes ever recorded, the tsunami’s impact was staggering; more than a dozen countries were affected, an estimated 250,000 people lost their lives and millions more were left homeless. In some of the hardest hit coastal villages in Indonesia, around 70 per cent of the population was killed.

In the immediate aftermath of the disaster, we provided temporary shelter, access to clean water and sanitation, psychosocial care, and much-needed supplies like cooking equipment, clothing, hygiene items and school kits.

CARE was one of the first humanitarian agencies to respond to the tsunami, and we have continued to work with affected communities over the past five years to reconstruct homes and livelihoods and promote economic and social development. Since the disaster, CARE has reached 1,339,464 people affected by the tsunami in five of the hardest-hit countries: India, Indonesia, Somalia, Sri Lanka and Thailand.

In each of these countries, we have not only reached the most vulnerable populations, but also ensured that they were given the chance to voice their opinions, help CARE staff develop programs that addressed their needs, and play active leadership roles throughout the recovery process. Since 2005, we have supported affected communities in building back more resilient homes, infrastructure and livelihoods and in gaining new skills, self-confidence, better ability to withstand future disasters, and a renewed optimism for the future.

Here are just a few examples of what we have done:

In India

• we provided materials like cooking equipment, clothing, hygiene items and school kits to 20,000 households and ensured they had access to safe water and sanitation.
• we organized 104,838 cash-for-work days for survivors to earn much-needed income while creating long-term benefits for their communities.
• over 2,500 women have graduated from adult literacy classes we launched in tsunami-affected areas.

In Indonesia

• we distributed more than 1 million bottles of water-purifying solution and provided 700,000 one-month food rations.
• our health programs reached more than 20,000 women and children. By November 2007, severe malnutrition rates had dropped to 0-9 per cent from 15-30 per cent in 2005.
• more than 23,000 people found financial security though our grants, skills and management training, and savings and loan groups.

In Somalia

• we distributed food to 70 per cent of affected households and water to more than 5000 families.
• we rebuilt livelihoods in fishing communities, distributing 18,800 fishing nets, constructing seven fish processing centers and supporting 40 women’s groups with access to microcredit.
• we constructed four health centers, fully stocked with medicine and equipment, and trained 45 community health workers to run them.

In Sri Lanka

• we provided more than 35,000 families with food or critical supplies.
• we helped more than 5,000 families with transitional or permanent housing and ensured 25,000 families had access to clean water.
• we rebuilt schools and provided supplies, allowing over 15,000 children to continue their education.

In Thailand

• we provided medical supplies and food stocks to hospitals and shelters and repaired or constructed five schools and three community centers.
• we empowered communities to start self-managed credit and savings programs. Over 50,000 people got loans to rebuild their businesses and livelihoods and purchase essentials.
• 1,216 people, mostly women, were assisted in forming occupational groups to diversify their incomes and develop new skills.

Whether it's a massive disaster like the 2004 Tsunami, or a local flood that affects a few villages, CARE is responding to emergencies everywhere all year round. Help us be prepared to save lives wherever and whenever we’re needed. Give today to the CARE Emergency Relief Fund.