Posted on September 29, 2005

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Tsunami Relief Effort Lacked Preparedness, Coordination, Report Finds

Despite the massive outpouring of support for victims of last year's Indian Ocean tsunami, just 60 percent of the families affected by the disaster reported receiving timely and adequate assistance in the first sixty days after the tsunami struck, a survey from the San Francisco-based Fritz Institute finds.

Based on interviews with 1,406 people in 197 villages in India and Sri Lanka, as well as representatives of 376 nongovernmental organizations from the two countries, Lessons from the Tsunami: Top Line Findings argues that the unprecedented global relief effort succeeded in delivering aid to millions of people, but that there was room for improvement in such areas as preparedness, coordination, and supply chain management.

In India, for example, the majority of aid recipients described as "timely" the provision of clothing (90 percent), food aid (80 percent), and medical care (75 percent). At the same time, 55 percent of respondents reported that the provision of clothing failed to respect their dignity, while 40 percent felt the same way about the distribution of food. Similarly, in Sri Lanka, while the provision of medical care received high marks, the provision of bedding and shelter was seen as satisfactory by only 58 percent of respondents, while half found that aid to be disrespectful to their dignity.

"Whether in New Orleans or in Nagapattinam, India; Colombo, Sri Lanka; or Beaumont, Texas, disaster preparedness and response were critical to saving lives and alleviating suffering. But in these places, it could have been and must be better," said Fritz Institute director general Lynn Fritz. "It is time to challenge old models and establish standards and identify best practices."

To read or download the complete report (12 pages, PDF), visit: http://www.fritzinstitute.org/images/FI.pdfs/
fi_articles_/2005/Findings_Sept2605.pdf.

“First-Ever Survey of Relief Recipients Relates Aid Dissatisfaction with Lack of Preparedness and Logistical Failures.” Fritz Institute Press Release 9/26/05.

Primary Subject: Tsunami Relief
Location(s): India, Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka

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