Nach dem Tsunami: Bericht über Erfahrungen in Sri Lanka und Südindien

Abstract In January-February 2005 the author travelled to some of the areas affected by the Tsunami of 26th December 2004 in northeastern Sri Lanka and India. The Northeast was most severely affected. An additional problem here is that the area is controlled and administered by different powers: while in Amparai, Batticaloa and Trincomalee the Sri Lankan government is in control, the Vanni and the coast around Mullaitivu are controlled and governed by the L TIE. This led to problems with the organisation and distribution of aid. The World Bank estimates that US $1.5 billion will be required for reconstruction and rehabilitation, but only a fraction of these funds can be released because neither of the parties to the conflict has yet been able to agree about a joint mechanism for the distribution of aid. This means that people have to remain in welfare and transit camps for inordinate lengths of time, which in turn leads to a visible apathy and despair among the victims. This is in stark contrast to India (Tamilnadu) where the people affected have shown a remarkable resilience and organisational skill in dealing both with the physical and political effects of the disaster.