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Build nearly 12,000 homes
Build 84 schools and 33 preschools
Provide 137,000 children and 2,000 teachers with educational support
Build 27 health clinics
Provide 40,000 people with employment opportunities and training
Distribute livelihood assets including fishing boats, livestock, motorbike taxis, vegetable carts and sewing machines
Construct community buildings including child-care and livelihood centres, a sports complex and teacher accommodation
Construct bridges, canals and roads
Restore or construct fishing harbours, farms, factories and markets
Support children with 200 safe places (Child-Friendly Spaces), playgrounds, counselling and recreation activities
Replant 56,000 mangroves to reclaim coastal areas and help build a natural buffer zone
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Five years ago, on the morning of 26th December 2004, a massive undersea earthquake triggered a series of tsunamis that charged across the Indian ocean. The surging waves hit the shores of a dozen countries. Around 230,000 people lost their lives in the disaster.
World Vision mounted its largest-ever relief response, assisting more than one million people in five countries: Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, India and Myanmar.
Tsunami response programmes across the region have ensured that homes, education, health facilities and livelihood support have been provided to those most in need.
Relief programmes are now complete, but we continue to partner with communities affected by the tsunami through new development programmes aimed at improving the well-being of children.
We are also working with communities to help reduce their vulnerability to disasters.
Pimporn Klasuek, 43, lives in an area of southern Thailand devastated by the tsunami five years ago.
Her family home, though damaged by the giant wave, was the only one left standing in the village.
“Talking of it still makes my hair stand on end,” says Pimporn, as she recalls running with her two daughters towards a mountain to escape the “black wave”.
The family, who live in Ranong province, were left with only the clothes they were wearing.
In the months that followed, a small fishing boat – provided by World Vision to replace the one they lost – helped the family to fish for shrimp.
Pimporn and her daughter, Ya, survived the tsunami.
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The tsunami response work in Pimporn’s area is now complete, but World Vision continues to partner with her community through a brand new long-term development programme.
Work started in 2007, with the aim of improving quality of life for families and children.
“Ever since World Vision came, they have continued to help, whether it was for the children and their education, or by forming livelihood groups for the adults,” says Pimporn, who has taken part in agricultural training.
“I learned how to make organic fertiliser, which I use in my garden on the mountain. This helps to lower costs.
“I grow sataw [beans], durian, mangosteen and longon [fruits], and cashew nuts.”
Pimporn’s younger daughter, Ya, is now seven and studies in Grade 1 at the local school, where she receives support from World Vision.
“All the other foundations that came after the tsunami have gone,” finishes Pimporn.
“Only World Vision is here for us in the long term.”
Report of World Vision's tsunami response: Raising resilience
Relief and rehabilitation work continue long after a disaster is forgotten by the general public, as surviving families continue to need our help. To support those affected by calamities such as the Asian Tsunami, you can support the World Vision’s Disaster Response Fund.
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