Asian Tsunami December 26 th 2004

Asian Tsunami: December 26 th 2004 Largest Earthquake in the World in 40 years Largest Earthquake in the World in 40 years It is the fourth largest earthquake recorded since seismographic recording in It is the fourth largest earthquake recorded since seismographic recording in 1900.fourth largest earthquake fourth largest earthquake Major Tsunami engulfs coasts around the Indian Ocean Major Tsunami engulfs coasts around the Indian Ocean Probably the largest and most widespread disaster in modern history Probably the largest and most widespread disaster in modern history Requires and is getting (with your help) the Greatest Disaster response in World History Requires and is getting (with your help) the Greatest Disaster response in World History

Totals of fatalities for each country

Statistics 12 countries around Indian Ocean affected 12 countries around Indian Ocean affected First estimates on 26/12/04: 15,000 dead First estimates on 26/12/04: 15,000 dead By 28/12/04 estimated over 50,000 deaths By 28/12/04 estimated over 50,000 deaths 29/12/04 estimated numbers reach 70,000 by later in the day this figure was 80,000 29/12/04 estimated numbers reach 70,000 by later in the day this figure was 80,000 UN estimates 5 million survivors are lacking food, shelter and clean water. UN estimates 5 million survivors are lacking food, shelter and clean water. 30/12/04 estimated fatality figures now 120,000 (of which 80,000 thought to be in Indonesia) 30/12/04 estimated fatality figures now 120,000 (of which 80,000 thought to be in Indonesia) 31/12/04 Indonesian government announce they have stopped counting the number of fatalities. 31/12/04 Indonesian government announce they have stopped counting the number of fatalities.

The first views of the Tsunami:

Afriyanti - has lost everyone in her family and all of her school friends.

A Thai soldier cradles a western child - almost half the disaster's victims in Thailand are thought to have been holidaying foreigners.

Many children – foreign and local – have lost parents

The power of tsunamis only becomes clear as they approach shallow water along the coast

But from the beaches few people recognised the danger of the white line on the horizon

Their full force is unleashed as they break on to land

Sundar Raj, 21, fisherman I was sleeping in our boat when the sea began making a rumbling sound. I saw the water level rising. I jumped into the water and tied my boat to the wharf as the waves began lashing me from behind. I climbed on to the jetty and ran.

Whole villages were flattened as here in Sri Lanka

Fishing boats, which provide essential food supplies for local people here in India, have been washed ashore

Low lying areas have been left flooded with seawater which quickly becomes contaminated with sewage and dead bodies Male in the Maldives Banda Aceh in Sumatra, Indonesia

Millions of people have been left homeless Cuddalore, south of Madras, India Penang, Malaysia

A family survey what is left of their home south of Colombo, Sri Lanka

Freeze Frame - Tsunami swallows the Chedi resort beach restaurant in Phuket. Freeze Frame - Tsunami swallows the Chedi resort beach restaurant in Phuket.

“Thousands are reported to have been killed, but there has been little news from the worst-hit areas where all transport and communication links were destroyed. “ bbc.co.uk The Aftermath Early reports gave no hint of the scale of the disaster…….

Low lying coastal areas were left obliterated and flooded as here in Aceh province in Sumatra, Indonesia Current reports indicate that the north and west coasts of Sumatra have experienced the worst destruction

Whole villages were flattened as here in Sri Lanka

Fishing boats, which provide essential food supplies for local people here in India, have been washed ashore

Scenes which were repeated across the Indian Ocean Sri Lanka Phuket, Thailand

Why it happened

Subduction zone where the Indian dives under the Eurasian Plate

Tsunamis are created when: Seafloor quickly changes shape Water is displaced Waves are formed as the displaced water mass, which is affected gravity, tries to move back

Two tectonic plates, the Australian and Eurasian plates, meet just off Sumatra's south-west coast, grinding together and sending periodic seismic tremors through the region. At 0059 GMT a violent rupture occurred on the sea floor along a fault about 1,000km long.

Tectonic Facts The earthquake came just three days after a magnitude 8.1 earthquake in an uninhabited region west of New Zealand The earthquake came just three days after a magnitude 8.1 earthquake in an uninhabited region west of New Zealand Possible connection between these two earthquakes Possible connection between these two earthquakes Possibility of a seismic chain reaction across neighboring plates has also been considered Possibility of a seismic chain reaction across neighboring plates has also been considered Total energy released by a magnitude 9.0 earthquake exceeds the total amount of energy consumed in the U.S. in one month Total energy released by a magnitude 9.0 earthquake exceeds the total amount of energy consumed in the U.S. in one month Massive release of energy and shift in mass insignificantly altered the Earth's rotation Massive release of energy and shift in mass insignificantly altered the Earth's rotation

The USGS (United States Geological Survey) record of the earthquake

The seismograph recording of the earthquake

What is being done? ReliefRelief

“Charities are rarely faced with a disaster so geographically widespread; almost the whole Indian Ocean rim has been hit, and few of the countries most affected have governments strong enough or with sufficient resources to co-ordinate the relief when it arrives.” “Charities are rarely faced with a disaster so geographically widespread; almost the whole Indian Ocean rim has been hit, and few of the countries most affected have governments strong enough or with sufficient resources to co-ordinate the relief when it arrives.” Times 28/12/04 Times 28/12/04

Increasing numbers of homeless people need shelter, food and water

Clean drinking water is required to avoid the spread of disease

In all affected areas survivors are hungry as food supplies run out

Indonesian Red Cross workers in Jakarta South Korean Red Cross assistance

Clean, bottled water supplies are assembled in Penang, Malaysia

Identifying victims is a grim task Many who died can only be identified by photographs, fingerprints or DNA tests

Tourists in Phuket make contact with frantic family members

Medicines are needed desperately The threat of disease increases

Disease Water borne diseases e.g. diarrhoea, typhoid, cholera are more prevalent. Water borne diseases e.g. diarrhoea, typhoid, cholera are more prevalent. Possibility of an increase in insect borne diseases e.g. malaria, dengue fever in the near future. Possibility of an increase in insect borne diseases e.g. malaria, dengue fever in the near future. Immediate aid - rehydration sachets and tablets, clean water, water purification equipment. Immediate aid - rehydration sachets and tablets, clean water, water purification equipment.

The evacuation of foreign tourists from the beach resorts begins Many are severely traumatised

A British holiday maker arrives home from the Maldives three days after the tsunami

Coffins await transport to remote areas near Phuket in Thailand

World Wide response being coordinated by United Nations

Relief Efforts People around the world started to stretch out a helping hand to the tsunami victims. People around the world started to stretch out a helping hand to the tsunami victims. Singapore, Britain, Japan, China and the United States sent relief efforts and started fund-raising events to help the worst struck countries, e.g. Sri Lanka & Indonesia. Singapore, Britain, Japan, China and the United States sent relief efforts and started fund-raising events to help the worst struck countries, e.g. Sri Lanka & Indonesia.

When everybody was traumatized, displaced, hungry, thirsty and helpless… that’s when volunteerism steps in. When everybody was traumatized, displaced, hungry, thirsty and helpless… that’s when volunteerism steps in. Various countries started to collect generous donations from their people. The United States forked out US$360 million from it’s national treasury to help the victims. Various countries started to collect generous donations from their people. The United States forked out US$360 million from it’s national treasury to help the victims. Indonesians transporting packaged goods to Banda Aceh in a store of an airport.

Volunteerism In Relief Efforts Singapore collects generous donation of clothes and daily necessities from her people. These are to be sent to Banda Aceh and Sri Lanka. Singapore collects generous donation of clothes and daily necessities from her people. These are to be sent to Banda Aceh and Sri Lanka. A Singaporean even donated 200 bags of white rice to the Red Cross Society. A Singaporean even donated 200 bags of white rice to the Red Cross Society.

Volunteerism In Relief Efforts Medical experts from the World Health Organisation (WHO) warned that there might be an outspread of water-borne disease, e.g. malaria. Medical experts from the World Health Organisation (WHO) warned that there might be an outspread of water-borne disease, e.g. malaria. This issue grabbed the world attention. Countries started to send doctors, nurses and medical necessities to the disaster- struck areas. This issue grabbed the world attention. Countries started to send doctors, nurses and medical necessities to the disaster- struck areas.

Volunteerism In Relief Efforts Singapore donated two portable desalination machines to Banda Aceh. The machines are able to produce 5,000 liters of clean water everyday. Singapore donated two portable desalination machines to Banda Aceh. The machines are able to produce 5,000 liters of clean water everyday. A wine-production factory volunteered to provide victims with free, clean water – it eventually becomes a mineral- water-production factory. A wine-production factory volunteered to provide victims with free, clean water – it eventually becomes a mineral- water-production factory.

Up to 36 months “On your feet” Disaster Strikes Up to 4-6 weeks Preventative Medicine Relief Up to 3-6 months Health Strategy – 3 Phase Relief Acute Medical Relief Psychological/ Post traumatic Stress Relief

Welfare Centres Temp Shelter Interim Shelter Permanent Shelter Now Beyond… Goal : Immediate Relief Effort : Provide basic necessities Functions: Provide Daily Relief End Result: Prevention of disease Programs: Medical, Food, Water, Clothing Goal : Short-term housing Effort : Basic Independence Functions: Provide weekly Relief End Result: Environment for Independence Programs – Income generation, Psychological, Housing Planning, Public Health Period - up to I year Goal : Financial Independence Effort : Self/ Community Initiated Rehabilitation Functions: Provide Independence Support End Result: Full Rehabilitation Programs – Human development/capacity building, Income generation, Psychological, Housing, Public Health Period – up to 1-2 years Goal : Full Independence Effort : Community Services Functions: Provide Community Support End Result: Establish Village Community Programs – Income generation, Perm Housing, Public Health, Infrastructure – Hospital, Schools, Roads, Bridges etc Period - Permanent How do we propose to rebuild… Housing Strategy – 4 Phase Rehabilitation 2-3 weeks 1-2 months PHASES BEGINNING

Program Execution Strategy - Phased Execution Immediate Relief Rapid Recovery Permanent Rehabilitation Short term relief phase For a period of up to 3 weeks from the disaster Focus on survival needs – Food, Drinking Water and Medical attention Identification & re- unification of missing family members Mid term recovery phase For a period of up to 3 months to a year Focus on shelter and sanitation - Temporary shelters and semi-permanent houses for up to 1 year - Supply of high nutrition food Preventive needs – epidemics control, psycho- social counseling Long term rehabilitation phase For a period of 1 to 3 years Focus on income generation activities, permanent housing, public health Provide skill development trainings Marketing & Distribution infrastructure support for rural produce

What is being done? ReliefRelief Early Warning SystemsEarly Warning Systems

Early Warning System What reasons are there for the Indian Ocean region not having a tsunami early warning system in place ? What reasons are there for the Indian Ocean region not having a tsunami early warning system in place ? May this change in the future ? May this change in the future ? What differences would it have made ? What differences would it have made ?

‘ We view with awe a release of power on this scale. We know that this power is greater than that of our species — nature holds us in its hands. We may be able to mitigate some of the consequences; in some cases we may be able to give advance warning of the threat; but we are not in control; the tsunami has demonstrated this ancient truth.’ ‘ We view with awe a release of power on this scale. We know that this power is greater than that of our species — nature holds us in its hands. We may be able to mitigate some of the consequences; in some cases we may be able to give advance warning of the threat; but we are not in control; the tsunami has demonstrated this ancient truth.’ William Rees-Mogg TheTimes 27/12/04

"At least two-thirds of the people who died should not have died," a natural disaster expert, Bill McGuire of University College London, told the Guardian. "They could have had an hour or so to get a kilometre or two inland or to reach high ground." "At least two-thirds of the people who died should not have died," a natural disaster expert, Bill McGuire of University College London, told the Guardian. "They could have had an hour or so to get a kilometre or two inland or to reach high ground."28/12/04

"It is true that an earthquake is unpredictable but a tsunami, which occurs after an earthquake, is predictable.” "It is true that an earthquake is unpredictable but a tsunami, which occurs after an earthquake, is predictable.” The Guardian 28/12/04 The Guardian 28/12/04

Warning Systems Many countries around the Pacific, including Hawaii, have warning systems and evacuation procedures in the event of a serious tsunami.

In Thailand there was criticism of the government's failure to provide adequate warning: "The [meteorological department] had up to an hour to announce the emergency message and evacuate people but they failed to do so," In Thailand there was criticism of the government's failure to provide adequate warning: "The [meteorological department] had up to an hour to announce the emergency message and evacuate people but they failed to do so," Thammasarote Smith, a former senior forecaster at the department, told the Bangkok Post.

29/12/04 BBC News is reporting the Indian government are pledging to spend BBC News is reporting the Indian government are pledging to spend £14 million on setting up a tsunami warning system in the Indian Ocean. £14 million on setting up a tsunami warning system in the Indian Ocean. Do you think this is a good idea or could the money be spent on something else ?

“Societies that have suffered a natural catastrophe tend to pull together in the common challenge to rebuild their broken structures. This, in turn, can build bridges, political as well as economic, between communities split along racial, ethnic or religious lines. That can also work across national borders. In the past year nations of southern and South-East Asia have been discussing ways to form a more powerful and coherent grouping; the destruction that they suffered in common may hasten the interchange of expertise, aid and political ideas.” “Societies that have suffered a natural catastrophe tend to pull together in the common challenge to rebuild their broken structures. This, in turn, can build bridges, political as well as economic, between communities split along racial, ethnic or religious lines. That can also work across national borders. In the past year nations of southern and South-East Asia have been discussing ways to form a more powerful and coherent grouping; the destruction that they suffered in common may hasten the interchange of expertise, aid and political ideas.” Times 27/12/04 Times 27/12/04

Empathy We live in a coastal area - how would we feel if our families and homes were affected ? We live in a coastal area - how would we feel if our families and homes were affected ? How much warning would we need to evacuate our homes / places of work ? How much warning would we need to evacuate our homes / places of work ?

The future ? What could be done ? What could be done ? What should be done ? What should be done ? How feasible is it to prevent a natural disaster from having such a devastating effect ? How feasible is it to prevent a natural disaster from having such a devastating effect ? Is it just a matter of money ? Is it just a matter of money ? What other factors need to be considered ? What other factors need to be considered ?

“We view with awe a release of power on this scale. We know that this power is greater than that of our species – Nature holds us in its hands. We may be able to lessen some of its consequences, sometimes we can give advance warning of the threat but we are not in control.”

The tsunami has demonstrated that Nature, and not Mankind, is the real master.” William Rees-Mogg