As the world marked the first anniversary of the Indian Ocean tsunami on Dec. 26, most pundits acknowledged that the outpouring of generosity was unprecedented. And while the pace of reconstruction has been slow, the initial relief effort was considered successful. "The world's response to the tsunami was the best ever," U.N. emergency coordinator Jan Egeland told Reuters. "Governments, the private sector, and individuals around the world opened their hearts and their wallets. Private donations for the tsunami eclipsed anything seen before.”
Christian relief and humanitarian organizations led the charge in providing relief and will be helping tsunami survivors for a long time to come. With donations exceeding $350 million, World Vision’s tsunami relief effort, for example, is the largest in its 55-year history, with more than a million people helped so far. Yet, the journey to recovery is far from over.
“When you consider this disaster killed more than 200,000 people and left a million others homeless, it’s no wonder that we have a very long way to go in this relief effort,” said World Vision relief worker Philip Maher, a Canadian who rushed to the scene within days of the tsunami and has returned to witness the progress made.
Permanent shelter is the greatest ongoing need in the tsunami countries, and is by far the most difficult, said Maher. “We wish we could build these homes much faster, but the obstacles are many: access to building materials, loss of documentation on land ownership, a shortage of skilled labor and confusion over buffer-zone policies. Also, before we can build we must involve local communities in decisions about construction. It takes a lot of time.”
World Vision is currently building nearly 6,500 permanent homes in the four hardest-hit countries. Just over a thousand were completed by the one-year anniversary on December 26. World Vision is also housing 39,000 in transitional shelters while permanent homes are completed.
In addition to shelter needs, World Vision has funded jobs for 12,000 people, and more than 13,000 families have been given boats, nets and fishing supplies to restart their fishing livelihoods. It has also built 30 schools, provided 134,000 children with educational supplies, and constructed nearly 200 child-friendly spaces where children can learn and play and heal in safety as their caretakers work on rebuilding their lives.
Gospel for Asia also reports that great progress has been made in the region, but the needs remain desperate. GFA missionaries, who live and work in the region, were among the first to respond to the disaster a year ago. Since that time the ministry has helped rebuild hundreds of homes and plant dozens of new churches in the tsunami area. Thousands have come to Christ as a result.
In addition, GFA volunteers and members of the affiliated Believers Churches have cared for thousands of displaced children, built at least 1,000 homes for survivors, replaced boats and nets for fishermen and provided desperately needed medical care.
“Sometimes it feels like time stands still after a tragedy,” said GFA President K.P. Yohannan, “like life can't go on. Yet it does. And for thousands affected by last December's tsunami, the anniversary of the killer waves reminds them that time cannot cure the pain of the tragedy they faced—but Jesus' love can.”
Yohannan added that although the tsunami left millions helpless and hopeless, GFA Compassion Services relief workers will continue to share the message of Jesus’ hope in the region.
Donors from around the world contributed more than $2 million to Compassion International’s Tsunami Disaster Relief Fund in 2005. Over the last year, Compassion International has been busy building homes, providing assistance to displaced workers and supplying aid to refugees. Families have received more than 28,000 pounds of food, nutritional supplements and cooking supplies, as well as shelter and counseling.
“Although Compassion typically provides long-term child development, the immensity of this tragedy was so overwhelming that we felt compelled to do our part to help the children and families that survived,” said David Dahlin, chief operating officer of Compassion International.
Immediately after the tsunami hit, Compassion's Asia Area Office mobilized to help the Aceh province in northwestern Indonesia. A team of more than 30 professionals and volunteers – all from Indonesia – arrived Jan. 6 in Banda Aceh, where more than 165,000 lives were lost. The team, working out of an abandoned school, initially included 11 doctors, five paramedics, five counselors and several teachers. The team grew and continued their work throughout the year.
“The tsunami brought a wave of destruction, but also a wave of love and compassion,” Dahlin said. “In the midst of scenes right out of hell was demonstrated the light of heaven.”
In a one-of-a kind partnership, the city of Phoenix officially adopted the community of Meulaboh on January 6, 2005, and committed to a 10-year rebuilding partnership through Food for the Hungry. The City of Meulaboh, Indonesia was adopted after it lost more than 40,000 of its 120,000 residents and much of the infrastructure needed to operate as a community.
The work of Food for the Hungry in the tsunami-ravaged area is extensive, with cash-for-work, agricultural, livelihood rehabilitation, education and counseling programs in place following the tsunami. The City of Phoenix has sent numerous assessment teams to Meulaboh to provide trauma counseling and ESL training. A team of civil engineers was also sent to support Meulaboh city officials as they overcome obstacles during the rebuilding process.
Open Doors, which supports and strengthens persecuted Christians around the world, is another international Christian ministry that is helping tsunami survivors. With a project called Wave of Hope, Open Doors hopes to strengthen Christians so they can rebuild their own lives while also being a blessing to people of all faiths. The project is focusing on Sri Lanka, Indonesia and India. Open Doors has partnered with Christian churches in these countries for years.
A Sri Lankan church leader said: “Open Doors was already working with us in assisting the Persecuted Church. So when the tsunami struck, the infrastructure was already there. We already had a trustworthy partnership. Thus, Open Doors was able to respond immediately.”
According to Open Doors USA President Dr. Carl Moeller, “Open Doors has ministered in countries like Sri Lanka and Indonesia for many years and we are committed to remaining there to strengthen and support our suffering brothers and sisters in Christ. Working with partner churches and Christian organizations already there, we are bringing hope in the midst of heartbreak.
“Please take time to pray for believers in these countries,” Moeller added. “Many have painful memories of the terrible tragedy of last December 26. Pray that God will continue to comfort them and that they may continue to stand strong through the storm.”
www.worldvision.org
www.gfa.org
