Update on the earthquake-tsunami disaster
05 Jan 2005
WWF offers its deepest condolences to those affected by the recent earthquake-tsunami disaster that struck the Asian region. The latest reports put the number of dead at close to 160,000, with millions homeless and at significant risk of disease and food shortages.
Two field staff with WWF-Indonesia in the heavily devastated Aceh region were missing until yesterday. Syafril was found alive and is now with her family on Sambang Island, another field staff member and his family are still missing. The rest of the staff based in Banda Aceh are safe, although some have lost family. The WWF office in Aceh has been cleaned and is serving as a relief and support centre for children.
All staff working in India's Andaman Islands and along the coastal regions of Chennai and Kerala are also reported to be safe. WWF-India staff have agreed to donate a day of their salaries towards helping staff and partners affected by the disaster.
On environmental impacts, several of WWF-India's projects have been badly hit. Fishing communities have been devastated, and there is concern for leatherback turtles nesting sites along the coast.
In Thailand, all staff are safe, including those working with WWF partners, such as the Phuket Marine Biological Centre and WorldFish Centre in Penang, Malaysia. Staff at WWF-Malaysia are also reported to be safe.
In the coming weeks, WWF International will provide an overview of the environmental consequences of the tsunami on WWF projects, and will work with the UNEP Post Assessment Unit, which has been tasked with undertaking a full environmental assessment of the disaster.
In addition, WWF International Director General Claude Martin has established an emergency fund, primarily aimed at supporting WWF's partner organisations in the affected regions.
