Rebuilding Lives and Futures: Two Years after the Tsunami

Over 200,000 lives were lost and over a million more were forever changed in the Indian Ocean tsunami of December 26, 2004. Two years later, recovery is far from complete, but survivors continue to rebuild their lives and find hope in the wake of tragedy.

The widespread destruction caused by the tsunami and the unprecedented, generous response of the world community has changed the face of global giving. Of the $13.5 billion raised, a large portion came from the general public. And those donations came in with extraordinary speed, enabling international agencies to respond quickly. UUSC, with the generous support of the Unitarian Universalist Association and so many people across the country and around the world, raised over $2 million to aid tsunami survivors.

In the immediate aftermath of the tsunami, however, it was local capacity that saved lives. Wherever we work, UUSC partners with local organizations that know best what is needed and how to respond. With our partners, we have focused our work specifically to help those people who are often excluded--in times of crises and in normal times--including Dalits, widows, and migrants. Helping the excluded rebuild their lives and claim their right to inclusion builds hope for a better future. Read more about our work.