|
Homes, hearts and livelihoods
Four years ago the most devastating natural disaster in living history struck countries bordering the Indian Ocean.
Hundred of thousands of people died, millions were displaced and the long, hard task of providing safe, permanent housing and helping people put their lives back together commenced.
Through the global Red Cross and Red Crescent movement:
- 4.1 million people received assistance - including access to safe drinking water and health services
- 97 per cent of houses planned are finished or under construction
- more than 40,000 permanent houses have been built
- 279 hospitals and clinics are complete and a further 96 are being built.
Australian Red Cross has been working in the Maldives, Sri Lanka and Indonesia over the past four years.
Of the 3,300 houses we have planned to build in these three countries for tsunami-affected communities, more than 2,570 are already completed, or under construction.
Helping communities recover from natural disasters like the 2004 tsunami is about much more than providing a roof over people's heads.
We are working to improve people's health and support them to establish small businesses - a long term commitment to helping people get their lives back on track.
The largest scale work has been undertaken in Indonesia, where we've been working together with local communities to build strong, safe and earthquake-resistant houses.
We have also:
- advocated for people to have equal rights to ownership and occupancy security
- worked to reduce the spread of preventable disease
- devised better water supplies and health education
- helped build local economies by supporting people to start small businesses.
Our work rebuilding homes and livelihoods, community infrastructure and water and sanitation systems for those affected by the tsunami will be completed in early 2009. |
 |
A small business grant from Red Cross helped Syammi set up a mat-weaving group in Sigli, Indonesia. Photo: Ade Sonivil
Ladong, on the outskirts of Banda Aceh. More than 1600 houses will have been built in ten locations by the end of the program. Photo:Ade Sonivil
An aerial view of Dhuvaafaru, Maldives, where community buildings are now complete and ready for handover. Photo: International Federation
The Red Cross Red Crescent tsunami recovery operation in Sri Lanka focuses on the broad recovery needs of affected communities, as well as ensuring their future protection from recurrent hazards. Photo: Arne Hodalic/International Federation |
