International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC)
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Disaster management
Tsunami operation - Shelter
Photo: Yoshi Shimizu/International Federation (p13093)
As the tsunamis swept across vast tracts of land around the Bay of Bengal, they took with them virtually everything in their path, including large, strongly built family homes and businesses. Destruction in many affected regions, particularly close to costal fringes, was almost total. Few dwellings were spared. Millions of people were affected – hundreds of thousands of people lost their homes. To provide shelter for such a large displaced population presented a significant challenge for the entire International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.

Photo: Yoshi Shimizu/International Federation (p13093)
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Photo: Yoshi Shimizu/International Federation (p12769)
People left without adequate shelter are exposed to increased hardship. Providing shelter for such a large population required a rapid response and a massive mobilisation of resources. From across the affected counties and around the world, materials to provide temporary shelter arrived. Although this aid can never replace the homes and the memories contained within them, temporary shelter provides one of the vital elements of disaster relief, beginning the process of recovery from disaster for people who have suffered greatly.

Photo: Yoshi Shimizu/International Federation (p12769)
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Photo: International Federation (p15112)
The reconstruction of the houses destroyed by the tsunamis requires planning, coordination and community consultation. It is vital that houses rebuilt are located on land where ownership is established and that the house designs reflect the affected population’s needs. Because of this, temporary living centres, which are often rapidly constructed in response to a natural disaster, need to be comfortable and compliant with international standards. While conditions in these centres are clearly not as comfortable the homes they temporarily replace, they do provide shelter for families while their new homes are being built.

Photo: International Federation (p15112)
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Photo: International Federation (p16949)
After careful planning and discussions with affected communities, the process of reconstruction of houses, schools and health centres destroyed by the tsunamis is ready to begin. Of course, the complete rehabilitation of affected communities will take many years, and the International Federation has outlined its plans for the region up until 2010. Nevertheless, as more needs emerge, the Federation is in a strong position to assist over a longer term, and to not only help communities rebuild their lives, livelihoods and economies, but also to prepare more thoroughly for the next emergency in this disaster-prone region.

Photo: International Federation (p16949)
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News
Video resources
The 100-bed Nintavur District Hospital in Ampara has been totally rebuilt with support from the Finnish Red Cross. (p18560) 10/11/2008 - Sri Lanka
Red Cross Red Crescent partners overhaul Sri Lanka’s health infrastructure
The impact of the tsunami was not only felt in the housing sector - severe damage was also caused to more than 100 hospitals and health centres on the coast. The disaster highlighted the important role played by inland hospitals, as it was these facilities that cared for many of the wounded when overstretched or destroyed hospitals along the coast were unable to cope.(...)
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More information
21 July 2008
International Federation-wide tsunami semi-annual report: IFRC global report | Indonesia | Sri Lanka | Maldives | India | Thailand
31 March 2008
Revised Plan of action and Budget 2004-2010
(PDF document, 818 kb, 28 pages)
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