WWF lends a hand in tsunami-affected Asia
The Boxing Day earthquake and tsunami that devastated so many Indian Ocean communities united the world in a bid to bring relief to thousands of survivors. With a death toll standing at more than 300,000 across 11 countries, charity organisations from around the world came together to provide displaced communities with immediate food and shelter.
Local WWF officers in tsunami-affected Thailand, India and Indonesia - some of whom lost family members - were initially involved in assisting humanitarian aid organisations in emergency relief operations. In the immediate aftermath, for example, the flooded WWF office in Aceh became a coordination post for the protection of children.
Horrifying images from the disaster areas and distressing stories from our staff on the ground galvanised the WWF network into action. Many, particularly those who saw the tsunami's after-effects first hand, believed WWF had an immediate role to play in helping affected communities.
As initial requirements for food and shelter were met, WWF felt it was well-placed to provide survivors with viable reconstruction services without destroying more natural assets.
Shattered ecology
As fractured communities continue to piece their lives back together, WWF is helping with on-ground knowledge and expertise to assist in the recovery of coastal ecosystems and in the sustainable reconstruction of devastated communities.
Aceh, the most heavily hit province of Sumatra, was also the most biologically rich. Waves there tore out entire ecosystems along vast stretches of coastline, and the influx of salt water has left little opportunity for regeneration.
Water experts are warning that, in the long run, the salt invasion may prove almost as destructive to the land as the tsunami itself, and could leave some communities dependent on outside aid for years to come.
WWF is supporting a number of initiatives to help reconstruct shattered communities. These include:
- A set of green reconstruction guidelines for Aceh;
- The provision of sustainably managed timber for reconstruction efforts;
- A coastal resource management program for Indonesia; and
- A long-term natural resource management program that takes into consideration the need to build resilience against future disasters.
Green reconstruction guidelines
WWF-Australia is working with WWF-Indonesia to get acceptance of green guidelines for all projects associated with the reconstruction effort, including those that fall under the AU billion Australia-Indonesia Partnership for Reconstruction and Development.
Timber for Aceh
WWF is working with the Australian timber industry to provide sustainably logged timber for reconstruction efforts in Aceh. We have been working to gain support from donor governments, timber companies, scientists and NGOs involved in reconstruction.
The response has been overwhelmingly positive, including offers of donated timber to help rebuild communities, fishing fleets, hospitals and other vital infrastructure.
Minimising the threat
The Indian Ocean tsunami is a reminder of the vulnerability of coastal communities in the face of unexpected natural disasters. Early warning systems will significantly reduce the number of human casualties of future events.
However it will only be through effective reconstruction, careful coastal management and the implementation of land-use guidelines that the economic and social costs of such disasters can be kept to a minimum.
For more information on WWF's role in working with local communities to rebuild tsunami-affected regions, visit WWF International and search for "tsunami".
