Natural disasters of the Asia Pacific Region: 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami

The Boxing Day tsunami in 2004 is believed to be the deadliest tsunami in history, killing more than 230,000 people across 14 countries.

It began at 7:59am local time on December 26, 2004, when a 9.1-magnitude quake struck off the northern tip of Sumatra in Indonesia.
Updated 24 Dec 2014.

Effect on animals and wildlife as a result of tsunami.

This December marks the 10th anniversary of the natural disaster that killed more than 230,000 people, displaced millions and destroyed entire coastlines. Over the past decade, the Indian Ocean tsunami and its aftermath have driven researchers and governments worldwide to improve tsunami warning systems and led to the creation of the Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning and Mitigation System.

The 2004 tsunami devastated thousands of communities in countries bordering the Indian Ocean. Both urban and rural areas were destroyed along thousands of miles of coastline. But, in the tsunami’s aftermath, a massive reconstruction and recovery effort was mounted, which has been a spectacular success in many ways.

Caritas network raised a total of US $485 million to fund immediate relief and long-term recovery following the tsunami. Caritas is part of Caritas Internationalis, one of the largest humanitarian networks in the world.

Five years after the massive Indian Ocean tsunami, which left a devastating trail of death and destruction, millions of people have benefited from the influx of aid by rebuilding stronger infrastructure, social services and disaster warning systems than existed before the catastrophe, according to the United Nations agencies at the core of the recovery effort. (2009)

Lessons from the response and ongoing humanitarian funding challenges
The 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami was a pivotal moment for the humanitarian sector; many lessons were learned and the humanitarian system was strengthened as a result. However, ten years on, significant challenges remain.

“World Vision mounted its largest-ever single relief response across five countries simultaneously — Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, India and Myanmar — which was only possible thanks to the generosity of our supporters,” said Trihadi Saptoadi, head of World Vision’s programs across South Asia and the Pacific.

The public response to the 2004 tsunami was colossal, with more than $6.25bn donated. But where was it spent? And what was it spent on? We’ve got the data