OneWorld.net (U.S.)

More than two years after the tsunami devastated countries around the Indian Ocean, reconstruction efforts in India are progressing well, according to a new report published jointly by ADB, the UN, and World Bank.

The 26 December 2004 tsunami disaster, triggered by an earthquake off the coast of Sumatra, affected almost 3 million people in India and left 12,000 dead. The entire physical infrastructure along the coastline was severely affected, while about 100,000 homes were destroyed.

The immediate response from the Indian Government, state authorities, international community, and civil society formed the basis of a strong collaborative relief and recovery effort to rebuild the shattered lives of those affected. As part of this response, ADB pledged $205 million in loan and grant assistance aimed at restoring livelihoods, and rehabilitating and reconstructing damaged infrastructure in Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

As of November 2006, 27,845 houses (28%) of the total 98,478 required across India have been completed, basically through the efforts of the state and NGOs, according to the report, titled "Tsunami: India - Two Years After." The remaining homes are in various stages of construction. In Tamil Nadu, where about two thirds of the destruction occurred, more than a third of the homes slated for construction have been completed and 20,128 have been handed over.

Apart from new houses, many roads, bridges, water supply, public docks and other public infrastructure have been rebuilt, incorporating new safety standards.

"The reconstruction process aims to 'build back better' to improve people's lives beyond that which they led before the tsunami," says Kunio Senga, Director General of ADB's South Asia Department.

They are now getting more access to maternal and child health and education services, improved sanitation and hygiene, and even improved child protection and prevention from trafficking and HIV/AIDS.

Programs in the areas of livelihood restoration and creation, environmental protection, and disaster risk management are helping the affected states and their people to reduce poverty, create resilience, and mitigate the impact of possible future disasters.

"While the achievements have been significant, the work is far from completed," the joint report concludes. "The road ahead is still long, but is more clearly paved as a result of the successful completion of the relief phase, the establishment of a strong foundation of partnerships between all actors, an awareness of the importance of disaster risk management and a high level of commitment towards coordination and working together."

Source: ADB More