Thanks to your generosity, Christian Aid raised a total of £46 million/€70 million for work in areas affected by the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami – £36 million/€55 million was raised for the Disasters and Emergency Committee and £10/€15 million was raised for Christian Aid’s own appeal. This is nearly ten times more than we would normally expect to raise for an appeal.
Tsunami update
View larger imageSo where has this money been spent?
We want to be more than just a ‘sticking plaster’. The funds are being used for the long-term sustainable development of some of the regions' poorest communities by rebuilding homes, supporting people back to work and helping communities be better prepared to cope with future disasters.
We want to be more than just a ‘sticking plaster’. The funds are being used for the long-term sustainable development of some of the regions' poorest communities by rebuilding homes, supporting people back to work and helping communities be better prepared to cope with future disasters.
Has the money made a difference?
Undoubtedly. For example, as well as building 11,000 temporary shelters, our partners have also built more than 20,000 permanent homes. These provide shelter for more than 120,000 people. We have also given new nets and boats to fishermen, helping them back to work, and provided trauma counselling for 60,000 people as they try to come to terms with their loss.
However, there are still people without homes or jobs who need help.
One new village that was funded by Christian Aid is called Alanthalai. The land provided for the village is low lying and prone to flooding, so Christian Aid's partner DPG adapted their house designs in case of future disaster. The houses have raised foundations to prevent water from entering and outside staircases that lead to flat roofs for safe and quick escape routes. These measures will not only help people to keep safe, but have made them feel secure again.
Durgadevi is one of the people about to move into Alanthalai. When the waves came, 13-year-old Durgadevi managed to swim further along the coast with her siblings to a safe place.
She is fearful that another tsunami will come, but is excited about her family's new house: 'I am very happy about the new houses. I hope that our family’s life will be changed for the better. We will live in a brick house and have a more healthy life… Now we live in a hut, we have to collect our water and make a fire to cook our food. But we will have running water, electricity, gas, everything! It’s amazing.'
For more information, have a look at the main Christian Aid website, to find out about what Christian Aid is doing to help.
If you are looking for ways to engage secondary students with the issues surrounding this disaster, check out Tsunami: After the wave, a teaching resource that includes assembly ideas and classroom activities.
For younger children, our resource Are you prepared? will help you explore the ways in which unexpected events can impact upon people's lives.
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