EU post-tsunami assistance, 10 years on

Thursday, 25 December 2014 00:10 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

On 26 December, the devastating tsunami ripped across the Indian Ocean leaving behind havoc, destruction and loss in its wake. With more than 35,000 people dead, and close one million people losing their homes; Sri Lanka was the second worst hit country after Indonesia.

The EU played a leading role in the overall international response, and pledged and deployed funds and resources swiftly. An overall total of EUR 123 million for humanitarian support and EUR 350 million for longer-term reconstruction was pledged for the whole Tsunami affected region. Specifically for Sri Lanka, the EU allocated almost EUR 220 million (grants EUR 147 million and in European Investment Bank loans of EUR 70 million). At the donor conference in January 2005 the EU allocated over EUR 100 million for reconstruction in Sri Lanka, on top of the EUR 45 million given for immediate humanitarian assistance. The EC Post-tsunami Reconstruction Program in Sri Lanka has focused on four main objectives: (i) regenerating communities, including basic socio and productive infrastructure for communities to function again, (ii) restarting livelihoods so people can get back to supporting themselves, (iii) repairing major infrastructure, such as roads so coastal economies can operate properly again and (iv) strengthening the natural resources/environment base by addressing tsunami related and chronic solid waste management, water and sanitation and environmental restoration priorities. The Commission’s support to the initial emergency phase was focused on basic needs such as water and sanitation, food, shelter, health, etc. EC’s Humanitarian Office (ECHO) was able to allocate 45 million EUR for the relief effort. In order to make funds available fast and kick-start projects ensuring a smooth transition between relief and reconstruction activities, the two projects were funded during 2005. The Satellite Imagery Project (EUR 0.3 million) provided pre and post-tsunami high resolution imagery of the coastline and gave technical assistance to the Sri Lankan national authorities to allow conversion of the satellite imagery into large scale detailed mapping, which facilitated damage assessment, reconstruction, relocation and risk analysis. The Quick Recovery Project (EUR 2 million), helped in the restoration of strategic infrastructure such as bridges, roads and culverts and public services like wells, community centres, health centres and waste management equipment which are vital for the resumption of economic activities. In the South and East, the EU’s assistance has mainly focused on the reconstruction of selected sections of the main road from Matara to Batticaloa, which was extensively damaged by the tsunami. Rehabilitation of this roadway was viewed by the Government of Sri Lanka as a strategic priority for post-tsunami recovery, thereby ensuring long-term sustainable development of the southern and eastern regions. The EU contributed a sum of EUR 52.6 million notably for the reconstruction of the national road sections from Matara-Wellawaya (158km) and Siyambalanduwa-Akkaraipattu via Pottuvil (78km) connecting the Southern and Eastern Provinces. The reconstructed road sections provide better access, thereby contributing to better social and infrastructural development and improved livelihoods. Additionally 400 km of secondary roads in the District of Ampara was also rehabilitated, at a cost of EUR 30 million. A major part of the EU’s post Tsunami assistance was channeled to the heavily affected district of Ampara, specifically to livelihoods support, employment recovery through rehabilitation of productive and social infrastructure entrepreneurial development and capacity building of communities and local government. Environmental restoration activities in Ampara were also funded by the EU with grant funding of EUR 10 million. The projects addressed environmental concerns, notably solid waste management and coastal rehabilitation promoting long-term environmental remediation. In the north and east, the Commission’s long-term support included Livelihood Development Programs which revitalised livelihoods and basic economic opportunities for the affected communities. In response to the urgent need to rehabilitate tsunami affected areas, the Commission launched a tailor-made programme for Asia (Asia Pro Eco II – Post Tsunami Program) to tackle environmental problems by transferring European know-how and best practices in conjunction with the establishment of partnerships and networking in the field of coastal environment management. Seven projects in total in Sri Lanka were selected and were funded (EUR 5.5 million) under the Asia Pro Eco Programme in the Tsunami affected areas of Trincomalee, Batticaloa, Ampara, Matara, Galle and Kalutara. Post-tsunami assistance of the EU contributed in supporting affected communities, through livelihoods and income generation initiatives, reconstruction/rehabilitation of community infrastructure including health clinics, primary and secondary schools and support to agricultural development through the provision of agricultural inputs, construction of markets, seed paddy processing centres, fertiliser storage stores, milk chilling and collection centres etc. EU funded projects were implemented through local partners, namely UN agencies and the ADB under the Government’s post-tsunami rehabilitation and reconstruction program.

Maldives

The EU support to the recovery and reconstruction strategy in the Maldives was provided through two different projects, totalling EUR 16 million. Restoration of Livelihoods (EUR 2 million) implemented by the UNDP: The project provided direct support in the sector of agriculture and fisheries through the provision of input and grants to re-start small economic activities and supports community initiatives in sectors such as solid waste management and empowerment in administrative decentralisation. Support to regional development strategy – ‘safe islands’ concept (EUR 14 million) implemented by the World Bank: This project contributed to the Government’s Tsunami Relief and Rehabilitation Fund in three sectors (i) institutional capacity building including support to the public accounting systems (PAS); (ii) community services including education and health and (iii) environment support focussing on solid waste management. EC’s Humanitarian Office (ECHO) contributed to the Maldives post-tsunami emergency phase with EUR 2.7 million to improve water and sanitation facilities through the installation of water tanks in damaged schools, the repair of septic tanks and health and hygiene promotion through UNICEF. This contribution was also used to repair houses and restart activities in the fishing and agriculture sectors as well as provide cash for work activities for the most vulnerable population. Additionally, EUR 0.9 million, contributed to emergency housing reconstruction through UNDP.