In the wake of the tsunami disaster, UN-HABITAT is working with the overall UN coordination system to prepare emergency and reconstruction proposals for Sri Lanka, Indonesia and Somalia. To enable the implementation of the emergency and reconstruction proposals for the three countries, the UN system has submitted Flash Appeals and for donor consideration. Meanwhile, discussions on UN-HABITAT’s potential interventions in Thailand have also started. UN-HABITAT participation will help prioritize the human settlements elements in the interagency response to facilitate the transition from humanitarian relief to long-term recovery and reconstruction. In addition to the emergency interventions, where immediate shelter will be the main focus, UN-HABITAT will contribute to the long-term planning and implementation of broader sustainable recovery of human settlements in the disaster-hit areas. The earthquake, measuring 8.9 on the Richter scale, struck at 7.59 a.m. on Sunday, 26th December, off the western coast of Northern Sumatra causing overwhelming devastation for the Indian Ocean region. Over 150,000 people died and their homes and settlements were destroyed when the massive tidal waves or tsunamis swept into coastal villages and seaside resorts in the region, some reaching as far as the East coast of Africa some 4,000 km away. For further information on UN-HABITAT’s response, contact: Disaster Management Programme, Jaana Mioch, +254 20 624062, email: jaana.mioch@unhabitat.org |
