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Oxfam Press Release - 26 January 2005

One month on: learning the lessons of the tsunami

The world's response to the Tsunami has been impressive but according to a new report issued today, one month after the tsunami by the international agency Oxfam , there are some important lessons to learn

The report, which summarises Oxfam's response to the Tsunami, 'Learning the lessons of the Tsunami: one month on', shows how immense the response has been from governments, international aid agencies, the United Nations,
local charities and the world's public. The aid effort has helped save countless lives and one month after the Tsunami many communities are already well on the way to physical recovery.

Oxfam alone has already helped over 300,000 people across the disaster zone. For example, in India Oxfam has distributed over 17,000 hygiene kits, provided safe water and latrines for over 20,000 people living in camps, and assisted over 1,000 families with temporary shelter.

The report shows that despite the scale of the response, the crisis has also brought real challenges. For example, in some cases the influx of money has meant that there are too many organisations working without the appropriate experience, competencies and skills. In some parts of Southern India, for
example, the coordination of agencies is a significant problem, while in others, local governments are coordinating the effort very effectively. The report calls on those coordinating the response to ensure that all agencies working in the region are appropriate to the task .National governments with the support of the UN need to implement processes immediately to accredit international agencies and ensure their work is suited to their experience.

Aid agencies are also urged to do more to consult with the communities they are there to help. A lack of consultation has meant that some of the aid delivered is not what is most needed. For example, in Sri Lanka some of the houses are being built without consultation and are not appropriate. Donors and those co-ordinating the response need to ensure that all agencies are working to meet the internationally accepted 'Sphere' standards for disaster relief.

The report also urges governments to deliver the aid that they have promised and calls on them to address the broader issues that have beset the region for years. The great majority of the survivors of the Tsunami already lived in extremely difficult circumstances and so far governments have not address the underlying inequalities.

Barbara Stocking, Director of Oxfam Great Britain said, "One month ago the world responded to the Tsunami with an unprecedented aid effort. Oxfam too launched a global response and is already helping over 300,000 people. Undoubtedly this work has saved lives but there are many challenges that cannot be ignored. The amount of money raised means that governments and aid agencies must address issues of the quality, not just quantity of aid."

She continued, "the issues of conflict, debt and trade have not yet been adequately addressed by the international community. Unless they are, the victims of the Tsunami will never escape poverty."

ENDS

Click here to go directly to the Oxfam report: http://www.oxfam.org.uk/what_we_do/issues/conflict_disasters/bn_tsunami2.htm

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This is a press release from Oxfam.  Its contents are totally the responsibility of Oxfam. The contents have not been reviewed by Horizon's Review Board.