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From the Ground Up |
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| One year after the tsunami, Canada's support is making a difference
(November 2005)
Indonesia | Sri Lanka | India | Thailand
A long-term commitment
On December 26, 2004, an earthquake triggered a massive tsunami that affected several countries, particularly Indonesia, Sri Lanka, southern India, Thailand, and the Maldives. In the immediate aftermath, five million people needed humanitarian assistance. The United Nations (UN) estimates that over 270,000 people died.
The Government of Canada committed $425 million over five years toward a comprehensive response. The Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) manages $383 million of the total amount. Some $213 million, eligible for matching funds from the Government of Canada, has been raised by the 23 non-governmental organizations (NGOs) participating in the Matching Funds Program.
One year later, relief and rehabilitation phases are complete, and reconstruction activities are well underway. Below, CIDA highlights just some of the many ways Canada is helping to rebuild devastated communities.
 Indonesia
Snapshot: As part of its overall response to the disaster, the Canadian Red Cross worked with sister organizations to send 619,361 kilograms of emergency relief to support tsunami survivors in Indonesia. All told, the CRC delivered over one million kilograms of emergency supplies to survivors in five countries: Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India, Myanmar and the Maldives.
Partners: Canadian Red Cross, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, and the International Committee of the Red Cross
CIDA contribution: $26 million (five countries)
By the numbers:
- 60,000 infant care kits were distributed
- 29,448 thermal blankets and 13,400 bed sheets were delivered
- 107,920 water containers and buckets with lids were delivered
- 23,640 plastic tarpaulins for shelters and 6,000 tents were provided
- 400 medical treatment kits were provided
- 4,450 body bags
- 28,000 garbage bags
- 1 cholera outbreak treatment kit
- 20 surgical instrument kits
Snapshot: Less than a week after the disaster, CARE began a large-scale emergency operation to meet the immediate needs of more than 27,000 affected families in Aceh. In addition to distributing hygiene kits, blankets, tarpaulins, kitchen sets, and tents, CARE mobilized 310 households to help clean up debris—actions that enabled community members to set up temporary dwellings and tents.
Partners: CARE Canada and sister organizations
CIDA contribution: $2.7 million
By the numbers:
- 27,500 hygiene kits were distributed
- 12,656 blankets were distributed
- 8,044 tarpaulins were distributed
- 250 shelters were built for 1,250 people
- 310 households received cash to help clean up debris
Snapshot: Most people in Lhoong—a sub-district of Aceh—normally make a living by farming or fishing along the coastline. The tsunami killed 4,388—nearly half the population. In addition to destroying most schools, bridges, and mosques, it swept away fishing boats, and dumped mud and debris on farmland. By providing emergency medical assistance, improving access to water, and addressing other critical areas, CRWRC helped meet the immediate and short-term needs of some 15,000 people.
Partners: Christian Reformed World Relief Committee and Council (CRWRC) and GenAssist
CIDA contribution: $1.9 million
CRWRC contribution: US$2.9 million
By the numbers:
- Artesian wells were built in 10 villages to provide safe drinking water
- School uniforms, backpacks, shoes and textbooks were provided to nearly 1,500 students
- 10,000 chili peppers were planted in three villages, benefiting 50 households
- 25 acres of shrimp pond farms were restored
- 4,000 coconut seedlings were planted, benefiting 436 households
- Tools were distributed to 1,768 people to clear land of debris
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Update: The CRWRC is re-building 500 houses, as well as related water and sanitation infrastructure in Aceh. By November, the community had identified priorities for construction—putting widows first on the list—and started building the first 100 houses.
CIDA contribution: $1.03 million
CRWRC contribution: $1.47 million
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Snapshot: Along with causing tremendous loss of life, the tsunami destroyed businesses, disrupting livelihoods and hampering attempts to rebuild affected communities. In response, Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME) expanded an existing Private Enterprise Participation (PEP) project—a $10-million initiative—to target reconstruction in Banda Aceh. PEP has created a microfinance program and business development centre to support small- and medium-sized businesses, specifically those run by women entrepreneurs.
Partners: Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME) and the Indonesia Women's Business Association
CIDA contribution: $1 million
By the numbers:
- One new Business Development Centre opened in June 2005
- 12 “credit circles” were established, each with 10 members, providing total loans of $120,000
- Loans of $1,000 were provided to 120 clients, a sum large enough to kick-start a new business or resurrect an old one
- Two larger loans were provided to a furniture manufacturer and a building supply business
- 67 percent of loans were provided to women
Sri Lanka
Snapshot: The Arugam Bay cluster of villages, in the eastern Ampara district, was one of the areas hardest hit by the tsunami. The force of water damaged the iron bridge that connected the villages to the mainland and submerged the land route, stranding hundreds with no food, clean water or medicines to treat the wounded. The tsunami also washed away the thriving tourist industry. This was one of many severely affected areas of Sri Lanka, Indonesia, India, and Thailand that received emergency assistance from World Vision.
Partners: World Vision Canada and sister organizations
CIDA contribution: $15.3 million
By the numbers:
- 915 families living in four villages in Arugam Bay received drinking water, dry food rations, tents, and tarpaulins
- The one bridge connecting the villages to the mainland was rebuilt
- Psychosocial counselling and educational materials were provided to 19,068 children and adults (four countries)
- Non-food items, including shelter/emergency kits and hygiene kits, were provided to 46,804 households (four countries)
- Livelihoods programming such as distributions of catamarans, supplies and equipment, boat and fishing supplies, and development of employment groups, which benefited 2,108 families (four countries)
- Emergency and temporary shelters to 3,645 households (four countries)
- Improved access to water supply and sanitation, including rehabilitation of infrastructure through provision of equipment to local governments that benefited 8,000 people directly (four countries).
Snapshot: Some 35,000 people in coastal communities in the North and East lost their lives, and 516,000 people remain internally displaced. With support from Oxfam, more than 200,000 men, women, and children benefited from shelter materials and non-food relief items, as well as improved access to water and sanitation, and hygiene campaigns.
Partners: Oxfam Canada and Oxfam Great Britain
CIDA contribution: $400,000
Oxfam contribution: $4.7 million
By the numbers:
- 7,300 sheets were distributed
- 1,800 transitional shelters were built
- 189,895 people benefited from items such as cooking pots, plates, spoons, jerry cans, and batteries
- 12,000 mosquito nets and floor mats were distributed
- 8,000 hygiene kits were distributed
- 15,000 buckets were distributed
- 750 latrines were built
- 700,000 litres of clean water were delivered every day at the peak of operations
- 3,000 wells were cleaned
- 65,000 people gained access to safe water tanks
Snapshot: Within an hour of the first wave, WUSC-Sri Lanka was involved in relief efforts, including transporting dead and injured to hospitals, coordinating relief, and delivering medical supplies. Subsequently, WUSC cleaned wells, trained vocational trainers to respond to the disaster, and developed trauma-counselling programs. In the rehabilitation/reconstruction phase, the agency rebuilt vocational training schools and pre-schools, and provided support for university and vocational students to pursue their studies.
Partners: World University Service of Canada (WUSC) and local partners
CIDA contribution: $1 million
By the numbers:
- 8,000 households received non-food relief
- Nearly 3,200 wells were cleaned to provide safe drinking water
- 10 vocational schools and eight preschools were re-built
- 350 university students received funds, enabling them to continue their studies
- More than 160 training programs in construction trades were developed for some 4,000 trainees
India
Snapshot: Families in the districts of Marakanam, Chitahmur, and Lathur, in Tamil Nadu, were among the worst affected by the tsunami. The initial assessment carried out by the partner organization, ASSEFA, found that more than 4,400 families lost homes, possessions, and/or livelihoods in 26 villages in the area. This project aims to aid 8,000 children and their families overall by re-establishing the foundation of their communities through basic education, livelihood, and child protection.
Partners: Save the Children, Association for Sarva Seva Farms (ASSEFA), and the International Institute for Child Rights and Development
CIDA contribution: $1.1 million
Save the Children contribution: $591,333
By the numbers:
- Milk and nutrition mix were provided to 2,450 families
- 10 child development centres were established
- 391 children attended camps and study tours
- 11 health camps were organized for 1,835 adults and 559 children
- 51 self-help groups were formed
Thailand
Snapshot: After the tsunami, 23 communities along the West Coast of Thailand desperately needed clean water. Although sources for groundwater in the coastal region were uncertain, ADRA nevertheless successfully drilled boreholes to service the communities. Moreover, the project has identified additional communities, and made plans to train a water management committee for each borehole system.
Partners: Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA), and ADRA Thailand
CIDA contribution: $648,109
By the numbers:
- Six out of 14 boreholes were successfully drilled
- Wells were set up in three districts. Ultimately, the wells will directly benefit 2,700 people connected to distribution systems
- Nearly 7,000 people will receive improved water service
For more information on Canada's support for relief, rehabilitation, and reconstruction in countries affected by the tsunami, please see The tsunami: one year later—Canada helps rebuild devastated communities.
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