Asia-Pacific Fishery Commission

Natural disasters over several decades have had an increasing negative impact on the most vulnerable people in developing member countries (DMCs) and on development initiatives.

An average year sees $39.5 billion in physical losses throughout Asia.

In 2005, 246 (42%) of 650 severe natural hazard events recorded globally, occurred in Asia, killing over 97,000 (90% of the global total of 110,000 individuals), and affecting more than 150 million people.

Such large numbers of fatalities and affected people were recorded only twice in the last 25 years—in 1991 following a storm surge in Bangladesh, and in 2004 after the Indian Ocean tsunami.

In 2006, 85% of some 10,000 deaths from 174 separate disasters affected 28 million people in the Asia-Pacific region.

Disaster impact is greater in countries where prevention, preparedness, mitigation, and response capacities are inadequate. For ADB, disaster impact in unprepared DMCs means having to divert development funds to replace lost social and economic infrastructure. For a DMC, disasters mean failing to realize the country's potential.

The European Union as a whole (i.e., the 25 Member States and the Commission) is one of the world's main humanitarian aid donors; the Humanitarian Aid department (ECHO) is the service of the European Commission responsible for this activity.

Specific reports and news relating to the tsunami can also be found at :

http://europe.eu.int/comm/world/tsunami/index.htm

IFAD's response to the tsunami focuses on needs expressed by poor rural communities

IFAD is working to address the requirements for long-term recovery, including private and public asset rehabilitation, and harness the energies of local stakeholders under the leadership of governments.

This site links to IFAD tsunami response including the fishery sector

IMF actions an d research in fisheries and aquaculture can be searched. Additional links to more recent action by the IMF by country (including fisheries can be found).

The World Bank tsunami website. Links to rehabilitation plans and joint needs assessments.

Fisheries and aquaculture specific infromation can be found within the needs assessmentsd and rehanilitation plans.

In December 2004, a major earthquake followed by a tsunami hit Asia and Africa, devastating many coastal areas. Almost 200,000 people in eight countries perished in a few hours, and over 100,000 are still missing. Many more had their homes and livelihoods swept away. The coastal areas of Indonesia and Sri Lanka and two Indian island chains bore the brunt of the calamity. They will require significant repair and reconstruction. President Bush has pledged $950 million in long-term U.S. support to help the tsunami victims rebuild their lives.

USAID's historic commitment to these countries, 40 years of expertise with disaster assistance, and solid working relationships with the region's governments meant we were able to respond immediately, providing life-saving food, water, medical care and shelter.

Now, standing side-by-side with the survivors, we are rebuilding communities and lives. Our cash-for-work programs give families incomes. Loans, business advice and training in job skills help develop new businesses and sources of income. Longer-term projects to reconstruct water systems, roads and other critical systems are underway. The success of our work is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, learning from experience and the power of partnerships between nations.