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Print2004 Indian Ocean tsunami
Mrs Ina Wira, aged 27, holds the cocoa pods she has just cut from her garden in Satellit, Nias. This crop, along with coffee, is the basis of her family's income. Oxfam provides business and vocational training to farmers, fisher folk and traders on Nias to help them better market their products. Photo: Jim Holmes/Oxfam
A remarkable amount has been achieved in tsunami-hit countries since enormous waves smashed their way across the Indian Ocean on 26 December 2004. It is now four years on and Oxfam International is preparing to wind down its tsunami response. Over USD $294 million in donations was raised by Oxfam International to help those affected by the tsunami, over 90% from the public. The program assisted 2.5 million people in seven countries, including India, Indonesia and Sri Lanka. The millions of dollars donated by Australians and others from around the world have made, and will continue to make, a huge difference to the lives of affected communities.
Oxfam hopes that the world’s generous response to the Indian Ocean tsunami will be seen as a benchmark for all future emergency responses. We believe the tsunami recovery has left a positive legacy as hundreds of thousands of people are now living in better conditions than before thanks to the response of the public, the hard work of all Oxfam staff and the determination of affected communities to rebuild their lives.
Stories and images
Changing attitudes to women through theatre – Aceh, December 2007
Ensuring equal rights for men and women is a core part of Oxfam’s tsunami response in Aceh. With the help of one of the Indonesian province’s most famous storytellers, Oxfam is taking a theatre show on the road to help change attitudes toward women.
Permaculture takes root – Aceh, December 2007
Lamsujen used to be the frontline of Aceh’s 30-year conflict. But since the tsunami, Aceh has been at peace, and with Oxfam support, this fertile, tranquil spot has become home to the province’s only permaculture school.
Housing the most in need – Sri Lanka, December 2007
Ponnomma is looking forward to moving into her house. The 54-year-old widow has never lived in a house like this before. It is one of 600 low-cost houses being built by Oxfam partners in Sri Lanka for poor families who were indirectly affected by the tsunami.
Artificial reefs give hope to tsunami fishermen – India, December 2007
The tsunami severely depleted fish stocks in southern India, causing further misery to communities already traumatised by the disaster. In the first initiative of its kind in India, Oxfam partner CEE is creating artificial fish habitats to boost the fish population and with it the livelihoods of vulnerable communities.
In pictures: the tsunami, three years on (PDF 4.8MB)
A snapshot of Oxfam's work in India, Sri Lanka and Indonesia.