Responsibilities and challenges

The tsunami left an overwhelming path of destruction in its wake. More than 230,000 people lost their lives, some 400,000homes wee reduced to rubble, and the livelihoods of as many as five million people were thrown into jeopardy. The earthquake and waves that followed caused $10bn in damages in barely 24 hours. But the devastating impact of the tsunami was matched by the extraordinary nature of the world's response, as billions of dollars in assistance quickly poured in. Tsunami recovery represents the largest ever mobilisation of donor funds for an emergency and reconstruction effort. All over the world, governments, international organizations and multilateral donors, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and individuals supported the provision of humanitarian relief and reconstruction to affected areas. NGOs and the Red Cross movement alone raised over $5bn, alongside $8bn pledged by governments and others for recovery and reconstruction.

The UN Special Envoy for Tsunami Recovery, former-US President Bill Clinton, recently launched a six month, intensive review to make NGO global relief and recovery efforts more effective across a number of critical areas. The review will dray on lessons learned from the massive response to the South Asia tsunami.