On December 26, 2004, an earthquake off the West Coast of Indonesia, measuring 9.0 on the Richter scale, triggered tsunami waves that caused massive flooding and severe damage in several countries in Southern Asia and Eastern Africa – with the heaviest wreckage occurring in Sri Lanka, India, Maldives, Indonesia, and Thailand.

A displaced resident of the town of Galle receives a family pack, containing essential relief assistance, from the Red Cross. Photo is courtesy of IFRC.

With a disaster of this magnitude affecting hundreds of thousands in several countries half a world away, the American Red Cross is working with its international partners including the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the Red Cross societies in the affected countries, and international relief organizations like the United Nations World Food Program to deliver effective aid to the people in need.

The salt water washed on land by the tsunami destroyed many surrounding farms and food supplies in the Bay of Bengal area. As a result, a massive amount of emergency food is needed to alleviate the suffering of the affected population.

The American Red Cross is partnering with the World Food Program, a United Nations agency, to provide $50 million to deliver and distribute emergency food rations for up to 2 million people in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and Maldives for six months. These food rations are fortified to ensure proper nutrition and are culturally appropriate.

Malnutrition was already a widespread problem in some areas due to poverty and civil conflict. The effects of the tsunami only compounded the situation, further limiting access to food and increasing the risk of malnutrition. Malnourished children are more susceptible to disease and illness and more likely to die from childhood ailments such as diarrhea, respiratory infections, and other common infectious diseases like measles and malaria. Ensuring proper nutrition of children and their families will help to decrease the malnutrition rate or – at the very least – maintain it to prevent the potential loss of additional lives.

The tsunamis’ salt water waves contaminated water supplies in a geographic area that already suffered from a lack of clean – or potable – water.

The need to reestablish access to destroyed water and sanitation infrastructure is a matter of life and death for the affected population. Lack of safe drinking water encourages people to use contaminated sources, often leading to diarrhea, dysentery, and cholera epidemics.

The American Red Cross sent a water and sanitation expert to help assess the water-related needs in the Maldives. American Red Cross water and sanitation specialists are skilled at setting up systems to provide mass numbers of disaster victims with safe drinking water, water for hygiene purposes, and safe disposal of waste. Additionally, the Red Cross will help provide safe drinking water, water for sanitation purposes, and safe waste disposal systems.

Much more information on RedCross.org...