After the tsunami
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More than 230,000 people died when the tsunami hit South Asia on 26 December 2004. Hundreds of thousands more lost their homes and their livelihoods in the disaster.
Thanks to the generosity of our donors, the British Red Cross has £95.5 million available to help the communities recover. We were able to respond with aid and personnel immediately, and are committed to staying in the worst affected countries until their recovery is complete.
A total of £12 million was spent in the initial relief phase, and we are spending a further £78.4 million over the next three years in Indonesia, the Maldives and Sri Lanka on reconstruction work.
In each country, we are working with local people to help them recover and rebuild safe homes that will withstand future disasters. Before reconstruction could begin, we enabled thousands of people to regain their legal identities so they can claim ownership of their land. We also paid cash grants into new bank accounts, allowing people to choose how to rebuild their livelihoods.
Coffee shop owner Pak Asmani, from Pulau Aceh in Indonesia, was among those to benefit. “With my livelihoods payments I bought stock and a fridge,” he said. “With my next payments I plan to complete the shop. Business is good.” | |
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