UN Sri Lanka Resident Coordinator pays tribute to 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami victims
20th Anniversary of the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami
Remembering the Lives Lost
On December 26, 2004, a massive tsunami struck the Indian Ocean, claiming over 225,000 lives, including 35,000 in Sri Lanka. UN Resident Coordinator in Sri Lanka, Marc-Andre Franche, honored the victims and highlighted the resilience of affected communities.
Progress in Disaster Preparedness
Franche emphasized the advancements in disaster preparedness, such as the Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning System, which involves 28 countries. This system has improved the region's ability to detect and respond to tsunamis, saving lives through timely alerts.
Impact and Reconstruction
The tsunami caused widespread destruction, particularly in Indonesia, where a 9.1 magnitude earthquake triggered the disaster. The damage included the loss of over 220,000 lives, destruction of homes, schools, and infrastructure, with reconstruction costs estimated at USD 4.9 billion.
Ongoing Efforts
The United Nations continues to support Sri Lanka and other affected regions in building resilience against natural disasters, ensuring communities are better prepared for future emergencies.
Doubts Revealed
2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami
The 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami was a huge sea wave caused by an underwater earthquake. It happened on December 26, 2004, and affected many countries around the Indian Ocean, causing a lot of damage and loss of lives.
UN Resident Coordinator
A UN Resident Coordinator is a person who represents the United Nations in a country. They help coordinate the UN's work and support the country's development and humanitarian efforts.
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is an island country located in the Indian Ocean, near the southern tip of India. It was one of the countries affected by the 2004 tsunami.
Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning System
The Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning System is a network of sensors and communication systems. It helps detect tsunamis early and warns people in 28 countries around the Indian Ocean to keep them safe.
Reconstruction costs
Reconstruction costs refer to the money needed to rebuild and repair areas damaged by disasters like tsunamis. In this case, it was estimated to be USD 4.9 billion for the affected regions.
Resilience efforts
Resilience efforts are actions taken to help communities recover from disasters and become stronger. This includes building better infrastructure and preparing people to handle future emergencies.
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