What Oxfam is doing
In the four years that followed the devastating tsunami of 2004, Oxfam assisted in the relief and recovery of 2.5 million people in seven countries. Thanks to the leadership of communities, the dedication of staff and partner organizations, and the generosity of supporters, hundreds of thousands of people in the affected region are living in better conditions now than before the disaster struck.
Latest update: December 2008
The day the tsunami surged over the coasts of the Indian Ocean, Oxfam began rushing clean water, equipment, shelter materials, and other essential supplies to the region in an all-out effort to protect the lives of the survivors. Over time, the emergency relief effort gave way to helping restore a measure of normalcy to people's lives by rebuilding homes and reviving livelihoods. But the had wave struck communities that were already struggling with the everyday disaster of poverty, and building back to the old standard was not our goal. While carrying out programs to protect public health, restore small businesses, and provide dignified housing to displaced people, Oxfam found opportunities to help people create sustainable improvements in their lives and livelihoods.
In December of 2008, Oxfam is completing the largest humanitarian response in our history, though we will continue development programs in the region. What follows are some highlights of the Oxfam response.
Indonesia
In Indonesia, where Oxfam spent $114.4 million, Oxfam delivered emergency water supplies, constructed gravity-fed water systems for 170 villages, and built a municipal water system for 10,000 people. Oxfam's advocacy efforts led to an agreement by Indonesian authorities to grant all people in Aceh who rented or squatted on other people's land before the tsunami the legal right to their own homes, as well as to give women joint ownership with their husbands of newly constructed houses. We built 1,566 permanent homes and 30 elementary schools, and we helped fund 75 organizations in order to strengthen civil society in the region.
Sri Lanka
In Sri Lanka, where Oxfam spent $86.6 million, we helped restore the livelihoods of nearly 170,000 people. Oxfam partner BRAC helped 60,000 women set up small businesses and now reports that 88 percent of them have higher incomes today than they did before the tsunami. Oxfam funding, technical assistance, and market research helped more than 3,000 poor female coir (coconut fiber) workers in southern Sri Lanka revive and expand their businesses. They have now doubled, and in some cases tripled, their incomes. Oxfam is completing construction of 800 homes and has built eight secondary schools. We also funded establishment of a national disaster risk reduction resource center.
India
In India, where Oxfam spent $45.2 million, we provided water and sanitation facilities for people living in temporary shelters, helped restore the livelihoods of 660,000 people, and put in place mechanisms to enable savings. Oxfam provided 360 new boats to fishermen and repaired another 900 boats and 800 outboard motors. We built 455 permanent homes and created a disaster risk reduction and policy center.
Oxfam carried out a series of studies in India and Sri Lanka on issues of importance to the tsunami response and future emergencies. To learn about Oxfam’s tsunami research program, please visit the Humanitarian Field Studies page.
A fuller description of our work in the region, including our programs in Myanmar, Somalia, Thailand, and the Maldives, can be found in the Oxfam International end-of-program report on this Web site.
