PRESS RELEASE
Two months on from the Tsunami: An unprecedented humanitarian response
The unprecedented humanitarian response to the Tsunami has been one of the
most effective and successful responses to an emergency in recent times,
said Oxfam international today.
Two months on from the disaster there have been no large-scale outbreaks of
disease, no widespread food shortages, and rebuilding work in many places
is already underway. Oxfam's humanitarian program alone is already reaching
over 300,000 people across the Tsunami-affected countries, providing water
and sanitation, and working on shelter and livelihoods projects.
In the first week of the disaster the aid effort was led by local people
and local organisations who responded quickly to the needs of the survivors.
In each of the countries affected large sections of the public mobilised to
assist their neighbours.
"The local, national and international aid effort has saved thousands of
lives! There is no doubt about it! Though the aid effort has in many ways
only just begun, the response so far has to be one of the most effective in
the history of aid." said Dr Brian Scott, Oxfam Ireland's chief executive.
When the Tsunami first hit there were real fears that many more people
could die if urgent assistance wasn't provided. The public and donor
governments responded more quickly and generously than in any previous
crisis and aid agencies were quickly on the scene.
"The scale of the disaster, the lack of warning, and the need to co-ordinate
simultaneous relief efforts across all of the affected areas, has been a
real challenge. However the massive public response, and the money from
donor governments shows what can happen when a crisis is quickly and
properly funded. There will of course be future obstacles to come, mistakes
will be made and some things will not go as desired. Nevertheless, the aid
effort, funded so generously by the public, has seen massive progress. If
similar funding could be channelled into other emergencies, such as Sudan
and northern Uganda, a massive difference could be made to the lives of
millions more. " added Dr Scott.
Oxfam is working with local partners and other international agencies to
ensure that local people's needs are being met and their voices are being
heard. In some places, such as Matara in southern Sri Lanka, Oxfam has
helped people build new temporary houses and they are already moving into
them this week. Even in the worst affected areas of Aceh, Indonesia, work on
building new houses has already begun.
"The aid effort has a long way to go. The emergency phase of the relief
effort is almost over but the reconstruction has only just begun. If we are
to maintain and build on the successes already achieved, consultation with
local people must be routine; and quality standards must be achieved
wherever possible. Speed must not come at the expense of quality," added
Dr Scott.
For further information or to organise an interview please contact:
Oxfam Ireland Press Officer Paul Dunphy at 01 6040706.
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