The Asian Tsunami

‘The recent earthquakes and tsunami in Japan have focused the world’s attention on natural disasters and the costs of recovery perhaps more than at any time since the Asian tsunami of 2004. It is this 2004 tsunami that serves as the foundation for this very important, timely contribution to the literature on emergency relief response. . . Recommended.’
– S.J. Gabriel, Choice

‘The Asian Tsunami is designed for all those interested in the issues of aid delivery. However, I do suggest this book should also be essential reading for all politicians and journalists concerned with the issue.’
– Nicholas Newman, Oxford Prospect

‘This book is a valuable contribution to the literature on responses to megadisasters in Asia. The study looks closely at the lessons to be drawn from the unprecedented aid effort after the Asian tsunami. Unlike much of the literature about post-tsunami aid programs, the book presents data gathered by local scholars in key disaster-affected countries: Indonesia, Thailand and Sri Lanka. Focusing on the goal of strengthening human security, it emphasizes the need to design programs to build resilience against disaster at the local community level. The key recommendations propose two critical reforms to the approach to disaster risk reduction in the region: there should be more emphasis on pro-active disaster preparedness programs than on reactive post-disaster responses; and there should be much more attention given to engaging local communities in designing and implementing effective disaster preparation and response programs. Policy-makers in local agencies and in international organizations need to heed these vital conclusions.’
– Glenn Denning, Columbia University, US

‘The death toll following the 2004 Asian tsunami – close to 230 000 people – was stunning. The devastation that the tsunami caused highlights the need to strengthen approaches to disaster risk reduction activities across Asia. Summarizing hundreds of reports and articles about the disaster, this book underlines the fact that global disaster risks are highly concentrated in poor countries. And within those countries, it is usually poorer communities who are especially hard-hit when disasters strike. This is the first serious attempt at an overview of the impact of this major event and for anybody with an influence on disaster response policy in Asia this book should be compulsory reading.’
– John Weiss, University of Bradford, UK

The 2004 Asian tsunami was the greatest natural disaster in recent times. Almost 230 000 people died. In response, governments in Asia and the broader international community announced large aid programs. The resulting assistance effort was one of the largest humanitarian programs ever organized in the developing world. This book discusses the lessons of the aid effort for disaster protection policy in developing countries.

How effective was the aid? What lessons can be learnt about how to respond when disasters strike in poor countries? This insightful book addresses these questions drawing on three themes of current development policy: international aid policy; human security and the poor; and approaches to disaster risk reduction. The most important lesson is the need to ‘go local’ in building up resilience at the grassroots level in poor countries in Asia. Other lessons include the need for better cooperation between the international community and local and national organizations as well as the need to ensure that adequate funding is provided to support disaster protection and post-disaster recovery programs while taking into account cost inflation associated with large-scale reconstruction efforts.

This analysis draws on the views of local contributors from the countries most affected by the disaster. Analysts and administrators involved in disaster response activities from international organizations, NGOs and national governments will find this a unique and important resource for their forward planning. The book will also prove to be invaluable for academics and students studying disaster management and human security, international aid policy, international relations and Asian economic issues.