Washington, DC — December, 2005—In Banda Aceh, Indonesia and Hambantota, Sri Lanka, IRD was one of the first responders to the December 2004 earthquake and tsunami that killed more than 200,000 people. IRD immediately distributed more than $3 million worth of humanitarian aid, medicines, medical supplies and basic food items to more than 300,000 tsunami victims. Throughout the past year, IRD has been working to directly assist victims by rebuilding water and sanitation infrastructure, increasing access to health services and creating opportunities for economic recovery.

Water and Sanitation

In Sri Lanka and Indonesia, IRD:

• - Provided emergency potable water and sanitation services to more than 200,000 people in 150 villages through the provision of water containers, solid water collection containers, bladders, tankers, and water purification tablets and equipment.
• - Installed emergency latrines, water wells, bathing facilities, and improved the garbage removal collection system.
• - Rehabilitated water wells that provide access to clean water to more than 12,000 people living in the area and is working to provide for clean water needs for the next 20 years.
• - Repaired and restored water treatment plants and continues to repair additional water plants in Banda Aceh and its surrounding villages. This has resulted in a steady supply of clean water to more than 200,000 beneficiaries.
• Health Programs
• Working in partnership with Direct Relief International, IRD is building the capacity of local non-governmental organizations and communities to increase access to health services for tsunami-affected populations in Indonesia and Sri Lanka. IRD has identified and is currently working with more than 25 local NGOs that are implementing targeted and effective health programs. IRD effectively builds the capacity and the competence of local organizations through targeted trainings, coordination meetings, continuous monitoring and the provision of small grants.

IRD’s local NGO partners are currently implementing programs to increase access to basic health services, perform vector control and training, enhance awareness of reproductive health and basic hygiene practices, provide access to clean water for tsunami-affected communities, and address trauma through psychosocial activities. The collective programs are spread and targets more than 200,000 individuals in villages, IDP settlements and temporary location centers.

Economic Empowerment and Livelihood Recovery

• Provided short term labor and income generating opportunities to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) that amounted to more than 200,000 days of labor;
• Created more than 8,000 new jobs; and
• Gave micro-enterprise grants to small businesses and offered business training to restore livelihood security for IDPs.

IRD is committed to the rebuilding of these severely affected areas during the next five years and beyond.

Commemorating the Anniversary of the Tsunami

Ceremonies commemorating the first anniversary of the Tsunami will be held on December 26th in Banda Aceh, Indonesia — on the very ground where so many lives were ended. IRD’s country director for Indonesia, Tom Alcedo, will be there.

An anniversary is not an ending, however. IRD’s post-Tsunami work is far from over. IRD will continue to focus on infrastructure rehabilitation, health initiatives and economic development as the recovery process continues. Using a holistic approach, IRD will help to “build back better” in the years to come.