1	26 December 2004
2
3
4	"“The massive wave hit..." “The massive wave hit us suddenly, and flowed across the island to the other side, sweeping everything in its wake, leaving behind our whole lives in a huge trail of rubble.” - an island resident-
5	Tsunami Strikes the Maldives On the morning of 26 December 2004, at about 6:25 am, tremors were felt in the Maldives for about 5 minutes Shortly after 9:00 am, tsunamis struck the islands of the Maldives. Tidal waves ranging from 4 to 12 feet were reported in all parts of the country
6	The Maldives
7	Vulnerability Indicators Highest elevation 1.5m above sea level 88 inhabited islands face perennial beach erosion Wide dispersal of population across very small islands Remoteness and inaccessibility of islands Extremely high economic dependence on tourism High import dependence. High diseconomies of scale.
8	Devastation: Human cost Deaths: 82 Missing: 26 Injured: 1,313 Displaced and homeless on 26 Dec. 15,000 Thousands severely traumatized Totally evacuated 13 islands Entire population of the Maldives was affected
9	Devastation: Public Utilities 26 islands with no electricity 188 islands with no contact for the first 11 hours Schools, clinics and pharmacies destroyed in over 50 islands 53 islands severely damaged
10	Devastation: Economic Infrastructure Complete destruction of jetties, harbors and coastal structures 19 resorts shutdown - occupancy reduced to less than 40% Over 50 islands lost their fishing boats, ruining their asset base and livelihood Agriculture destroyed Huge impact on the economy
11	Economic Damage: Fisheries Fish exports currently half the country’s exports Fisheries: 9.3% to (GDP) in 2004 Fish exports in 2003 is $75.6 million (equivalent to $250 per capita). Major provider of employment 14,955 fishermen 11% of labor force 20% of the total population is dependent on fisheries as the major income earning activity
12	Damage to Tourism 7,568 people employed in the tourism industry Contributes directly about 33% to GDP. Indirectly as high as 70 %
13	Damage to Agriculture 112 agricultural islands affected Soil and water affected severely About 15,000 farmers affected 73% of agriculture affected Estimated loss as Mrf 84.84 million (US$6.76 million) 50% of agriculture consists of home gardens Supplied to the tourism industry Rf. 5,891,089 worth of products traded locally 2.6% direct contribution to GDP – but economic contribution likely to be much higher than reflected in GDP
14	Social Devastation Health Health post and health centers destroyed Fear of epidemics Education Over 50 schools damaged Most of the books and study material washed away 2,969 students affected Housing Houses totally destroyed - 2,190 Houses partly destroyed - 1,940
15	Devastation: Psychosocial 40% of population under 15 years Over 6,786 people including mainly women and children severely traumatised, having first being involved in fighting for their lives in the rising waters and subsequently being parted from their loved ones and their entire personal belongings, homes and livelihoods. These people will require specialized care and professional attention. Socio-psychological trauma will take the longest to heal
16	Responding to the Emergency On 26 December 2004, a Ministerial Committee and Task Force set up National Disaster Management centre was set up to assess damage and co-ordinate aid and relief operations Despite break down of communication with the atolls, within 24 hrs information flow and data gathering began and continues round the clock Personal and direct contact with the population to ensure their needs are clearly understood and met.
17	Emergency and Recovery Needs Safe drinking water and adequate food supplies Shelter for the homeless Carefully controlled health and hygiene programmes Schools and educational facilities Reinstatement of utilities including electricity, communications, etc. Immediate psycho-social support needed Intensive and strategically designed emergency preparedness plan and establishment of tsunami early warning system
18	Constraints in Responding to the Needs Geographical dispersion and the difficulties of access to islands Transport and logistical difficulties High unit cost of delivery of relief supplies Unpredictable weather and rough seas Inadequate resources
19	Current Situation Electricity restored in almost all islands Telephone service restored in all islands Rehabilitation of clinics and schools in progress Basic food stuffs and water available in all islands Currently 6,338 people are homeless in their own islands and 4,240 are resident in other islands. Total homeless and displaced is 10,578 Displaced persons, facilities in Male’ occupies about 100 people, mostly women and children Psycho-social support being provided Housing Temporary shelters 6 in Hulhumale’, 2 in Kolhufushi,1 in Vilifushi, Buruni, Kudahuvadhoo Permanent shelter assessment and planning underway
20	Providing Support for Social and Economic Recovery One-off cash payments made to tsunami victims MRf 1500 per person for those who have completely lost their house and belongings (12,000 people in this category) Rf 1000 per person for those with partly damaged homes and lost utensils or belongings (9,000 - 10,000 people in this category) Rf 500 per person for those with minimal damage to homes but lost/damaged belongings (41,000 people in this category) Total cost - Rf 50 million Teams deployed to distribute the funds Trust Fund established by the government Loan scheme being developed to provide financial support for replacing assets lost
21	Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Needs Jetties and harbours need to be reconstructed in over 45 islands More than 65 islands need electric power generators and related infrastructure Over 35 islands need reconstruction of sewerage systems. 13 evacuated islands need to be reconstructed with full compliment of social, economic and administrative infrastructure
22	Staggering Costs Total damages likely to reach over a billion US dollars Over two decades of development destroyed
23	Socio-economic Development 1978 - 2004
24	Requirements Financial assistance Material and equipment Expertise and technical assistance
25	Foreign Assistance Received
26	Future Plans Development of Safe Islands Programme Coastal protection Speedy access in emergencies Establishment of alternative modes of communication and energy Transport infrastructure Establishing safe zones Buffer stock of basic foods and water Economic viability, social services and housing Each island to have disaster management plans
27	National Objectives and Priorities Reconstruct the lives and livelihoods of tsunami victims Provide shelter to internally displaced persons within 2 years Reconstruct and rehabilitate social and economic infrastructure within 3 years Generate economic recovery and exceed pre-tsunami levels in 5 years
28	"Thank You" Thank You