TWENTY years after the devastating Boxing Day tsunami which struck south-east Asia, thousands of people gathered on beaches and at sites of mass graves to hold vigils.
A powerful 9.1-magnitude earthquake off the coast of the Indonesian island of Sumatra on 26 December 2004 triggered the tsunami that killed around 230,000 people across 14 countries. Its impact was experienced as far away as East Africa.
Indonesia suffered the worst, with about 170,000 deaths, followed by Sri Lanka at 35,322 deaths. Many Western tourists celebrating Christmas overseas also died, the majority from Germany, Scandinavia, and Australia. Another 151 from Britain were killed as the waves struck popular coastal resorts in Thailand and Sri Lanka.
The tsunami devastated coastal communities in India, the Maldives, Myanmar, Malaysia, Somalia, Tanzania, Seychelles, Bangladesh, and Kenya, and left two million people homeless. The rebuilding process was “monumental”, according to World Vision, which mounted its largest ever humanitarian response to the disaster.
The Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) appeal raised £392 million — which, adjusted for inflation, would be worth £690 million today, making it DEC’s biggest ever appeal.
World Vision paid tributes to survivors: “In the two decades since, survivors have transformed tragedy into testament, rebuilding not only their homes but also their communities, livelihoods, and futures. Through the collaborative efforts of local governments, international organisations such as World Vision, and countless individuals, towns have been restored, schools rebuilt, and livelihoods reimagined. What began as a story of devastation has become one of hope, resilience, and the indomitable human spirit.”
Across south-east Asia, people marked the anniversary on Boxing Day, gathering in prayer at mass-grave sites, in which many of the dead had to be buried. In Indonesia’s Aceh Province, more than 14,000 people were interred in one mass grave.
Prabu Deepan, of Tearfund, witnessed the disaster. He is now director of the Asia region for the charity. “The 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami unleashed catastrophic destruction on my home country, Sri Lanka,” he said. “The scale of the devastation was overwhelming, with huge loss of lives and homes, yet amidst the chaos, the efforts of local organisations shone through.
“With limited resources, and in the face of human suffering, they worked with incredible speed and compassion. From providing immediate relief to survivors to supporting long-term recovery efforts, including relocation, rebuilding ways of making a living, and mental-health support. Their actions showed how local organisations can act fast and effectively in the face of disaster.”
Countries have now invested in early-warning systems across the Indian Ocean to prevent such colossal loss of life in future natural disasters, he said. “The work we’re doing today, investing in technology and community training, will strengthen resilience and lessen the impact of future disasters.”
He said that churches had a unique part to play in responding and recovering from such disasters. “Churches particularly are uniquely positioned to provide not only immediate relief, but also long-term care, such as trauma healing.
“Our continued work alongside local churches has focused on equipping them to connect with community leaders and networks, access resources, and understand how they can play a vital role. Since 2004, we have seen more churches respond to disasters, saving more lives, livelihoods, and homes.”