TSUNAMI

The tsunami of 26 December 2004 wreaked havoc across eight countries around the Indian Ocean. From Thailand to Somalia, coastal villages and towns were washed away by the waves. By far the worst hit was Aceh, Indonesia's northernmost province, which felt the full force of the tsunami. An estimated 170,000 people were killed in Indonesia alone, while over 600 communities were wiped out.

More than a third of those who died were children.

The destructive effect of the tsunami on Indonesia was enormous. An estimated 500,000 people were left homeless, around 38,600 students and 2,500 teachers were killed, and 800,000 people lost their sources of livelihood, most of them fishermen and farmers.

IIR in Aceh

Islamic Relief has worked in Indonesia since 2000, distributing food and assisting people affected by natural disasters. In Aceh province itself, IR was providing school equipment for children.

Because of its presence in Aceh, IR was one of the first agencies to respond to the tsunami disaster. One day after the tsunami, IR aid workers arrived in the stricken city of Banda Aceh and started administering first aid to survivors.

A few days later, IR had established an emergency response field office and began providing food, clean water, shelter, and basic hygiene and sanitation facilities.

Since then, IR has built schools, hospitals, homes and helped thousands of people return to work.

IR provides support in : health, water and sanitation, livelihood, education, orphan support and shelter.

IR in Sri Lanka

The tsunami caused widespread destruction in five provinces in Sri Lanka. IR aid workers provided emergency relief immediately after the disaster and are now rehabilitating areas affected by the disaster.

IR is restoring homes, providing clean water supplies, supporting orphans and widows and helping the poor re-establish their livelihoods:

For donation please call Islamic Relief Malaysia at 603-8948 6334 or click here for full contact information.