South Asia Tsunami Field Report

1
South Asia Tsunami Field Report 1

• Photos by Kelly Bauer
• Permission to use photos must be obtained for
  purposes other than this presentation.

2
A Graveyard of Livelihoods
Large fishing boats were flung more than a
kilometer inland, destroying the lives and
livelihoods of the day laborers who worked on
them.
3
Too much, then not enough
Villages turned off local water pumps after the
tsunami contaminated the water supply. Until the
water supplies are safe, LWR is including water
purification tablets in relief supplies to
prevent disease outbreaks, especially among
children.
4
Searching for normalcy
With classes starting again soon, Rajesh rescues
his school books from the rubble of his house.
5
Lutheran World Relief listens
Women in Pudlekuppam Village share their stories
of loss as they move through the grieving process
6
Irresponsible relief
Truckloads of used clothes from all over India
met the needs of donorsbut assailed the dignity
of those in need.
7
Learning LWRs system
A seminary student working with one of LWRs
partners explains the ID card system that ensures
that those who need it most receive relief.
8
Meeting basic needs
Relief packets included supplies like cooking
pots, dry food, water jugs and tarps to help
families meet their basic needs of food, water
and shelter.
9
Order replaces chaos
Women in Najilinga Village queue to receive
relief packets, in sharp contrast to the
unorganized distribution of medical supplies the
day before that resulted in a mob.
10
Signing for a new life
Fingerprinting keeps track of who has received
their relief supplies. This prevents redundancy
and ensures there is enough to go around.
11
Lutheran World Relief responds
An LWR field worker helps distribute much needed
relief in a village where more than 200 houses
were destroyed.
12
Double helping of assistance
Locally purchased necessities provide for a
womans needs and stimulate the local economy in
the process.
13
Regaining self sufficiency
One of LWRs partners added portable stoves to
their relief packets after people in affected
communities said they most needed to cook for
themselves instead of traveling to feeding camps
three times a day.
14
Two sides of reconstruction
The tin walls of a government-constructed
temporary shelter provide little privacy to
families and heat up to almost unbearable
temperatures. LWR and its partners will rebuild
houses with local materials like palm leaves that
keep cool in the tropical
heat and offer more dignity to those who will
live in them.
15
Honoring and protecting
Villagers in Sherthur Village planted coconut
tree seedlings in memory of those who died in the
tsunami. When the trees are grown, they will
provide protection for the village and a place
for friends and family to honor their loved ones.