Sri Lanka after the Indian Ocean tsunami Prof. Tissa Vitarana Minister of Science and Technology Sri Lanka 08.09.2006 1
In this presentation.. What happened in Sri Lanka on 26 th December 2004 Effect of the tsunami on Sri Lanka The aftermath The damage Opportunities arising thereafter S & T challenges and initiatives What happened to the donor funds? 08.09.2006 2
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The origin of the Tsunami on 26 th December, 2004 Interaction of Indian, Burmese, Australian and Sunda tectonic plates Earthquake occurred off the west coast of northern Sumatra (focal depth of 30 km) Effected 1000km of the sea bed, resulting in the upward movement of the of the sea floor, creating a tsunami. 08.09.2006 4
Some sattelite pictures 08.09.2006 5
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What happened in Sri Lanka on 26 th December 2004 Sri Lanka experienced its most devastating natural disaster, ever known Sri Lanka and her people were totally unprepared for a tsunami It hit almost 70% of the coastal area where 1/5 of the population live 08.09.2006 7
Outcome of the tsunami Deaths 30,959 Injured 16,665 Missing 5,240 Displaced individuals 805,978 Displaced Families 182,267 Number of Houses destroyed 82,320 Number of refugee camps 798 08.09.2006 8
The aftermath The damage Opportunities arising thereafter S S & T challenges and initiatives What happened to the donor funds? 08.09.2006 9
The damage Large number of children and women were affected 1/3 rd of the dead were children Loss of property and livelihood Psychological trauma Resettlement issues 08.09.2006 10
The economic impact 250,000 Sri Lankans were in danger of falling further into poverty. Particularly hard hit were the fishermen whose boats and equipment were washed away and damaged Effect on SME Effect on tourism Huge cost (Rs( Rs.. 5.2 billion) of reconstruction 08.09.2006 11
The aftermath Rebuilding the nation was a challenge for the entire country 08.09.2006 12
Opportunities for Sri Lanka Disaster conscious society has now evolved Disaster Management Act was passed by the Parliament Disaster management Centre was established New codes of practice for disaster resistant building construction media on communication in disaster situations Early Warning Centre for Tsunami has been identified as the Meteorological Department, which is connected 24 hrs., 7 days to the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) and Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC) Disasters have become an important issue and draws immediate attention of policy makers, politicians and officials to the slightest event 08.09.2006 13
The S & T needs, challenges and initiatives Early warning and monitoring for all future disasters Creating public awareness Identification of a practical communication system to reach the people in an emergency Developing inundation maps Improving capabilities for mathematical modeling etc. with the assistance of Japan and Canada Bathymetry studies - with the assistance of Italy and UK Restoration of coastal ecosystems Collaborative, multidisciplinary research projects Grants worth of US $ 500,000 were awarded through the regular budget of NSF, Sri Lanka - in 2005 Harnessing the full potential of surveys carried out by foreign scientists was not successful 08.09.2006 14
The S & T needs and challenges Increased salinity of ground water table Removal of debris Meeting the demand for construction material; esp. sand Controversies on putting up buildings within 100m from coastline scientific basis? Health issues Coast conservation 08.09.2006 15
Reconstruction of houses No. of houses damaged 82320 No of homeless families urgently needing new houses after the tsunami 35363 No. of houses built so far 11551 No of houses under construction 6946 Only 38% of the total no. of houses needed by the tsunami homeless has been completed so far 08.09.2006 16
NGO contribution to reconstruction What happened to the funds? Rs.. 40 billion (US $ 400 million) donor funding (both local and foreign) received by 256 NGO s 73% of total foreign remittances received by 30 (12%) NGO s 85% of all funds received in bank accounts of these NGOs had been withdrawn in 2005 08.09.2006 17
NGO (ctd( ctd.) 23 NGOs pledged to construct 66,811 houses Final agreement with the Govt. was to build 16 487 houses In 2005, 1232 houses were completed by these NGO s 08.09.2006 18
Problems in Tsunami Assistance to North-East LTTE controlled areas P.TOMS issue in courts Government machinery - used 08.09.2006 19