Asia Earthquake & Tsunamis

Appeal Target: US$ 41,798,901

Balance Requested from ACT Alliance: US$ 26,113,709

A 9-magnitude undersea earthquake off the west coast of the northern Indonesian island of Sumatra set off massive tidal waves on Sunday morning (26 December), which slammed into coastal towns and villages across south and south east Asia, killing over 150,000 people and affecting millions throughout the region. ACT International members throughout the region have mobilised relief assistance teams and relief supplies through their local partner networks from the beginning. The assistance includes food, emergency shelter materials, medicines, and non-food items such as blankets, clothing and cooking utensils and water. Assessment missions are continuously underway and co-ordination is taking place with government and other (I)NGOs. The relief phase is expected to continue for 3 months, but where possible the rehabilitation activities are planned to help people to become independent from relief distributions as quickly as possible.

This is a revision of (and replaces) the appeal for US$ 8.2 million issued on 30 December 2004 which was fully funded. It incorporates the programmes from the ACT members in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India and Thailand. Due to the scale of the disaster and the ongoing assessment of the actual needs, the proposals continue to be adjusted. It is therefore expected that this Appeal will need further to be revised within a period of 4-6 weeks as medium term plans are developed following assessment and co-ordination endeavours.

As this Appeal incorporates different countries and implementing members the co-ordination and follow up of the implementation and reporting will be complex. Therefore provision for strengthened ACT Coordination in Geneva, in Indonesia and Sri Lanka is included in this appeal.

Implementation period: Due to the magnitude of the problem longer term assistance will be needed. To ensure for the needed longer term planning, this Appeal will be for the period of two years.

Project Completion Date: Due to the magnitude of the disaster, longer term assistance to the affected will be necessary. To ensure the appropriate time for planning and implementation this Appeal will be for the period of two years - 31 December 2006

Summary of Appeal Targets, Pledges/Contributions Received and Balance Requested

Jenny Borden
Interim Director, ACT Co-ordinating Office