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Encyclopedia > Humanitarian response to the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake
2004 Indian Ocean
earthquake

Events The 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake was an undersea (subduction) earthquake that occurred at 00:58:53 UTC December 26, 2004, with an epicentre off the west coast of Sumatra, Indonesia. ... Subject: Animation of 2004 Indonesia tsunami Source: NOAA [1] Animation provided by Vasily V. Titov, Associate Director, Tsunami Inundation Mapping Efforts (TIME), NOAA/PMEL - UW/JISAO, USA. See a full-length animation at Image:2004 Indonesia Tsunami Complete. ...

Response Although, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) scientists at the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC) in Hawaii eventually issued warnings of a possible tsunami from the huge earthquake off Sumatra, the waves outran notification systems at jet speeds of 500 mph (804 km/h) - catching hundreds of thousands of people... A village near the coast of Sumatra lies in ruins This article lists the countries affected by the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and the resulting tsunami in alphabetical order – for detailed information about each country see their individual articles. ... A village near the coast of Sumatra lies in ruins This article lists the countries affected by the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and the resulting tsunami in alphabetical order – for detailed information about each country see their individual articles. ...

  • Humanitarian

See also

v  d  e
Countries most directly affected by the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake
Countries most directly affected by the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake

The humanitarian response to the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake was prompted by one of the worst natural disasters of modern times. On 26 December the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake, struck off the northwest coast of the Indonesian island of Sumatra, spawned a tsunami that wreaked havoc along much of the rim of the Indian Ocean. Particularly hard-hit were the countries of India, Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Thailand. 225,000 people were killed, tens of thousands more were injured and 10 million were made homeless. The Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning System is a tsunami warning system set up to provide warning to inhabitants of nations bordering the Indian Ocean of approaching tsunamis. ... There are very few or no other articles that link to this one. ... The 2005 Sumatra earthquake, referred to as the Nias Earthquake by the scientific community, was a major earthquake on 28 March 2005, (a full moon) located off the west coast of northern Sumatra, Indonesia. ... Download high resolution version (800x655, 58 KB) Subject: Map showing countries directly affected by the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake. ... Download high resolution version (800x655, 58 KB) Subject: Map showing countries directly affected by the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake. ... This article is about the natural disasters caused by natural hazards. ... is the 360th day of the year (361st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... The 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake was an undersea (subduction) earthquake that occurred at 00:58:53 UTC December 26, 2004, with an epicentre off the west coast of Sumatra, Indonesia. ... For other uses, see Sumatra (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Tsunami (disambiguation). ...

Contents

Humanitarian situation

The tsunami exacted a heavy toll on coastal communities and especially fishermen in the region.[1] In India and Thailand, government and Civil Society Organizations were able to mobilize resources and responded as quickly as possible. India also provided assistance to neighboring countries and was the first nation to respond by sending naval ships and personnel to the neighbouring countries due to the proximity. The people and governments in the nations of Sri Lanka and Indonesia were to some extent overwhelmed by the enormity of the catastrophe, especially in inaccessible areas.

Indonesian refugees wait for a heli-drop of much needed supplies.
Indonesian refugees wait for a heli-drop of much needed supplies.

The first tasks of the governments and humanitarian aid agencies were to ensure access to food and clean water, and medical care for the injured. The World Health Organization warned that the number of deaths from preventable diseases such as cholera, diphtheria, dysentery and typhoid could rival the death toll from the disaster itself. These diseases are largely spread by loss of normal sanitary facilities, the shared use of inadequate facilities in makeshift refuges, and the lack of clean water. Download high resolution version (1500x1071, 321 KB)Caption: 050101-N-1229B-199 Sumatra, Indonesia (Jan. ... Download high resolution version (1500x1071, 321 KB)Caption: 050101-N-1229B-199 Sumatra, Indonesia (Jan. ... WHO redirects here. ... Distribution of cholera Cholera, sometimes known as Asiatic cholera or epidemic cholera, is an infectious gastroenteritis caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. ... Dysentery (formerly known as flux or the bloody flux) is frequent, small-volume, severe diarrhea that shows blood in the feces along with intestinal cramping and tenesmus (painful straining to pass stool). ... This is about the disease typhoid fever. ...


Many usual sources of water were spoiled by salt water, broken by the force of the tsunami, or contaminated with bodies of dead people or livestock, requiring water purification equipment or trucking portable water into the affected region. Other high priorities were delivery of medical supplies and personnel to overwhelmed hospitals and clinics, tent shelters and clothing to people who have lost their houses and belongings, and food, especially baby food. Several governments appealed for body bags to assist in the safe disposal of corpses.


Information about the impact of the tsunami on individual countries is available for:

The Tsunami Evaluation Coalition has carried out a series of evaluations of the response and published an initial findings report[2] in December 2005. This report found that while initial needs were broadly met, in part by local actors, there was room for improvement in the way that agencies were meeting ongoing needs. Key areas for improvement in the current agency responses were identified as: • their engagement with local actors; • transparency, communication with, and accountability to the affected populations; • transparency towards their donors. For related articles, including charities accepting donations, see Category:2004 Indian Ocean earthquake. ... Part of Banda Aceh shore before and after the tsunami, see also larger versions: before, after (Credit: DigitalGlobe). ... The wave crashing into the road at Tanjung Tokong, Penang Malaysia was affected by the Indian Ocean earthquake on 26 December 2004. ... Malé, the capital island of Maldives was severely hit by the tsunami. ... Official reports from the government of Myanmar (Burma) cite a death toll of 56 due to the tsunami caused by the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake on 26 December 2004. ... Map of Somalia with Puntland roughly highlighted in blue. ... As of 16:35 GST 3 January 2005, Sri Lankan authorities report 30,196 confirmed deaths [1] after the island was hit by the tsunami resulting from the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake on December 26, 2004. ... Map showing the provinces of Thailand affected The Thai government reports 5,246 [1] confirmed deaths, 8,457 [2] injuries and 4,499 [3] missing after the country was hit by a tsunami caused by the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake on December 26, 2004. ... The Tsunami Evaluation Coalition (TEC)[1] is a unique learning and accountability initiative in the relief and development sector. ...


Despite a number of unique factors, the well-funded tsunami response provides a significant opportunity for the aid community to learn how to improve its performance in future responses. The main report from the Tsunami Evaluation Coalition is expected in July 2006.


Contributing countries and supra-national organizations

Governments, humanitarian organisations, Asian expatriates and individuals around the world scrambled to offer aid and technical support. The World Bank initially estimated the amount of aid needed at USD 5 billion.[3] Although countries are providing relief funds, the UN had criticised both the US and Europe for allocating inadequate resources. By 1 January 2005 over USD1.8 bn (GBP1bn) had been pledged. The World Bank logo The World Bank (the Bank) is a part of the World Bank Group (WBG), is a bank that makes loans to developing countries for development programs with the stated goal of reducing poverty. ... USD redirects here. ... One thousand million (1,000,000,000) is the natural number following 999,999,999 and preceding 1,000,000,001. ... UN redirects here. ... is the 1st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...


In wake of the disaster, Australia, India, Japan and the United States formed a coalition to co-ordinate aid efforts to streamline immediate assistance. However, at the Jakarta Summit on 6 January, the coalition transferred responsibilities to the United Nations. Jakarta (also DKI Jakarta), is the capital and largest city of Indonesia. ... is the 6th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... UN redirects here. ...


Criticism of donor response

Sailors of USS Abraham Lincoln prepare for aerial resupply drops by US helicopters.
Sailors of USS Abraham Lincoln prepare for aerial resupply drops by US helicopters.

On 27 December UN Undersecretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Jan Egeland reportedly categorised charitable contributions of rich countries as "stingy",[4] but was widely misinterpreted in the press as categorising the response to the tsunami in this manner.[5] Speaking at a press conference later, Mr. Egeland stated, "It has nothing to do with any particular country or the response to this emergency. We are in early days and the response has so far been overwhelmingly positive".[6] Download high resolution version (1000x1400, 715 KB)Caption: 050102-N-9593M-088 Indian Ocean (Jan. ... Download high resolution version (1000x1400, 715 KB)Caption: 050102-N-9593M-088 Indian Ocean (Jan. ... USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72), nicknamed Abe, is the fifth Nimitz-class supercarrier in the United States Navy. ... December 27 is the 361st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (362nd in leap years). ... Jan Egeland (born 1957) is the United Nations Undersecretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator. ...


The US government, led by President George W. Bush and Secretary of State Colin Powell, added another USD 20 million on 28 December to their original pledge of USD 15 million, bringing the total up to USD 35 million, not including direct aid to be rendered by naval vessels dispatched to the region.[7] George Walker Bush (born July 6, 1946) is the forty-third and current President of the United States of America, originally inaugurated on January 20, 2001. ... General Colin Luther Powell, United States Army (Ret. ... is the 362nd day of the year (363rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...


Initially, the U.S. Navy dispatched P-3C Orion patrol aircraft and an aircraft carrier to assist with relief operations. The P-3C surveillance aircraft conducted survey operations, including search-and-rescue efforts, and cargo planes shuttled supplies to shelter the living and dry ice to preserve the dead from Bangkok to affected areas. [8]



On December 31 the US pledge was increased tenfold to USD 350 million,[9] with President Bush saying that that amount will probably increase. President Bush also signed a decree ordering flags to be flown at half-mast during the first week of the new year. is the 365th day of the year (366th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...


Serious concern has been raised that the international relief effort may falter if nations do not honour their pledges. On 3 January, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan urged the donor nations to ensure that their pledges will be fully honoured, pointing to previous cases where "we got lots of pledges, but we did not receive all the money".[10] is the 3rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Kofi Atta Annan GCMG (born April 8, 1938) is a Ghanaian diplomat who served as the seventh Secretary-General of the United Nations from January 1, 1997 to January 1, 2007, serving two five-year terms. ...


On 5 January 2005, as countries jockeyed to make large donations, Jan Egeland said, "I'd rather see competitive compassion than no compassion", adding that too many countries were making pledges that may never arrive.[11] Following last year's Bam, Iran earthquake, which killed 26,000 people, Iranian officials claim to have received just USD 17.5 million of the USD 1 billion originally pledged.[11] In mid-March, the Asian Development Bank reported that over USD 4 billion in aid promised by governments was behind schedule. Sri Lanka criticised the nations and organisations that clamoured to pledge donations, "Not a penny had come through yet. We are doing the relief work with our government money. Sri Lanka is still waiting for the money pledged by the donors. Money pledged by the people has been pledged to the NGOs."[12] is the 5th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Bam or BAM may mean: Bam, Iran Bam Province, Burkina Faso ISO 639 code for Bambara language Bam Margera An onomatopoeia for a sound. ... The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is a regional development bank established in 1966 to promote economic and social development in Asian and Pacific countries through loans and technical assistance. ...


Sri Lanka's Foreign Minister, Laxman Kadirgamar, stated in a BBC interview, "A lot of aid which has been coming in latterly[13] is I'm afraid – I'm sorry to say – not very useful. For instance there was a container full of teddy bears. They're obviously given with good will, nobody says no to that." The patience of tsunami affected nations are being stretched, "Now the government had worked out a scheme that until the 26 April everything that has come, everything that will be on the seas will be admitted tax free. After that, no!". Kadiragamar went on to say, "For instance we do not need rice, we are expecting a bumper harvest, anyone who sends rice is wasting their time and money."[12]


Many commentators claim excessive and competitive donor responses threaten less dramatic but equally important relief efforts elsewhere. "While everyone opens up their coffers for these disasters, the ongoing toll from malaria, AIDS and tuberculosis is much larger than these one-time events", said Enriqueta Bond, president of the US Burroughs Wellcome Fund. "We would do more good to invest in prevention and good public-health measures such as clean water". Tony Blair, the UK prime minister, also expressed concern that tsunami aid could detract from other pressing development needs. He pointed out that there was a disaster comparable to a "preventable tsunami every week in Africa", where 10,000 people die daily from AIDS and malaria alone.[14]


Criticism of recipient response

In the early stages, before the extent of the disaster was clear, Sri Lanka refused Israel's offers of aid, objecting to the inclusion of 60 Israeli soldiers in the 150-person mission planned by Israel's army, to set up field hospitals, including internal medicine and paediatric clinics, an Israeli army spokesman reported to BBC. The Israeli humanitarian organisation Latet sent a jumbo jet carrying 18 tonnes of supplies to Colombo, however, and a rescue-and-recovery team from the Jewish ultra-Orthodox organisation ZAKA arrived in Colombo with equipment used for identifying bodies, as well as body bags.[15] Corruption, bureaucracy and nationalism hampered the humanitarian response in Indonesia.[16] The Indonesia government is reported to have flown Muslim militants into Aceh to help the relief effort. On 12 January, the Indonesian government put restrictions on the movement of journalists and aid workers, ostensibly for their protection from Acehnese insurgents. However, there were concerns that this was a clumsy attempt by the government to gather control over, and credit for, relief efforts in an attempt to gain an edge over the rebels. A ZAKA volunteer (wearing the yellow vest) helping MDA Mezach volunteers collect bodies and body parts for burial after a suicide bombing. ... This article is about the sociological concept. ... Eugène Delacroixs Liberty Leading the People, symbolizing French nationalism during the July Revolution 1830. ... Aceh (pronounced , generally Anglicized as IPA: ) is a special territory (daerah istimewa) of Indonesia, located on the northern tip of the island of Sumatra. ... is the 12th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ...


In Sri Lanka, only 30% of those eligible impacted by the tsunami as of 10 February had received any aid, and there are allegations of local officials giving aid only to their supporters, some of whom were not victims of the tsunami. The Sri Lankan government has set up a "Special Complaint Unit" for citizens to record grievances. is the 41st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ...


List of Donors

The following table is a partial listing of cash commitments from various governments and nongovernmental organisations, taken from[17][18] and other sources:[19][20]


Note: Exchange rates were taken on 8 January 2005, when EUR€1 = USD$1.30585; GBP£1 = USD$1.87110; CAD$1 = USD$0.811853; AUD$1 = USD$0.757346; HKD$1 = USD$0.1282 ; 1 INR= USD$0.0228102; 1 CNY= 0.120831; 1 NOK = USD$0.158526; 1 DKK = 0.175711; 1 SEK = USD$0.144363; 1 CHF = USD$0.844131 . is the 8th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Country Government Permille of GNP NGOs & Public
(Excludes corporate
donations – see below)
Permille of GNP Total
(in USD
millions)
Permille of GNP[21]
Australia AUD 1.377bn (see below) (USD 1.099bn)[22] 2.03 AUD 280M (USD 223.4M)[23] 0.41 1,322 2.44
Austria EUR 50M (USD 65.30M)[24][25] 0.26 EUR 20M (USD 26.12M)[26] 0.10 91.42 0.36
Belgium EUR 12M (USD 15.67M) 0.05 EUR 38.05M (USD 49.70M)[27] 0.17 65.37 0.22
Bosnia USD 67,000[28]
Cambodia USD 40,000[28]
Canada Federal CAD 425M (USD 344.96M)[29][30] Provincial CAD 18.5M (USD 15.02M)[31] 0.70 Public CAD 230 (USD 185.8M),[30] BusinessCAD 36.3M (USD 29.47M) 0.28 743.68 0.98
China (PRC) CNY 522M (USD 63.07M)[32] plus USD 20M[33] 0.035 CNY about 500M(USD 60M)[34](USD) 146M[35]
Croatia USD 917,000[28]
Cyprus USD 1.3M[28]
Czech Republic CZK 200M (USD 9M) 0.10 CZK 230M (USD 10M) 0.12 19 0.22
Denmark DKK 420M (USD 74M)[36] 0.44 DKK 200M (USD 36M)[37] 0.21 110 0.65
Equatorial Guinea USD 200,000[28]
Estonia USD 390,000[28]
European Union USD 615M n/a n/a n/a 615 n/a
Finland EUR 50M (USD 65.3M)[38] 0.40 EUR 18.5M (USD 24.2M)[39] 0.15 89.5 0.55
France EUR 250M (USD 302.84M) 0.18  ?  ? > 302.84 > 0.18
Germany EUR 500M (USD 653M)[40] + EUR 20M (USD 26M) for immediate aid 0.27 EUR 450M (USD 580M)[41] 0.22 > 1,300 > 0.50
Greece EUR 1.3M (USD 1.7M) 0.01 EUR 19M (USD 24.8M)[42] 0.14 26.5 0.15
Hong Kong HKD 50M (USD 6.41M) 0.04 HKD 620M (USD 79.48M)[43] 0.5 85.89 0.54[44]
Hungary USD 1.2M[28]
India INR 8 billion (USD 183M) 0.3  ?  ? > 183 > 0.3
Ireland EUR 20M (USD 26.12M) 0.15 EUR 75M (USD 97.94M) (Source: Irish Times 18/3/05) 0.92 117.94 1.09
Iran USD 627,000[28]
Italy EUR 70M (USD 91.4M)[45]   EUR 42M (USD 57.3M)[46]   > 120.13 > 0.085
Japan USD 500M[47] 0.115  ?  ? > 500 > 0.115
Kuwait USD 100M[48]  ?  ? > 100
Latvia USD 185,000[28]
Lithuania USD 295,000[28]
Luxembourg USD 6.9M[28]
Macedonia EUR 1.5M (USD 1.9M)[49] 0.03
Madagascar USD 100,000[28]
Monaco USD 133,000[28]
Netherlands EUR 230M (USD 300.5M) 0.58 > EUR 160.5M (USD 208.6M)[50] > 0.41 > 509.1 > 0.99
New Zealand NZ 68M (USD 47.2M)[51] > NZ 19M (USD 13.1M) > 60.4
North Korea USD 150,000[28]
Norway NOK 1.1 billion (USD 175.3M)[52] NOK 564M (USD 89.8M)[53] 265.1 1.19
Poland USD 1.6M[28]
Portugal EUR 8M (USD 10.45M) 0.07  ?  ? 10.45 0.07
Qatar USD 25M[54] 1.43  ?  ? > 25 > 1.43
Romania USD 240,000[28]
Russia USD 2.0M[28]
Spain EUR 56M (USD 73.13M) 0.087  ?  ? > 73.13 > 0.087
Saudi Arabia USD 300M[55] 67.4M, USD[56] > 367.4 >
Senegal USD 200,000[28]
Slovakia USD 360,000[28]
Slovenia USD 110,000[28]
Sweden SEK 500M (USD 72.2M)[57] SEK 1100M (USD 159M)[58] 177.2 0.5
Switzerland CHF 27M (USD 22.8M) CHF 211.1M (USD 178.2M)[59] as of 11 February 2005 200.9 0.64
Taiwan USD 50.0M[60] USD 60M 110 0.34
Turkey TRY 28.9M[61]  ?  ? 37.6
United Arab Emirates USD 20M  ?  ? 20
United Kingdom GBP 75M (USD 140.3M)[62] 0.083 GBP 350M (USD 654.9M)[63] as of 26 February 2005 0.38 795.2 0.47
United States USD 950M[64] 0.086 USD 1875M[65] 0.17 2,825 0.26
World Bank USD 1000M[28] n/a n/a 250 n/a
Zimbabwe USD 3.2M[28]
Total >USD 10bn

A permille or per mille is a tenth of a percent or one part per thousand. ... Measures of national income and output are used in economics to estimate the value of goods and services produced in an economy. ... A permille or per mille is a tenth of a percent or one part per thousand. ... Measures of national income and output are used in economics to estimate the value of goods and services produced in an economy. ... USD redirects here. ... A permille or per mille is a tenth of a percent or one part per thousand. ... Measures of national income and output are used in economics to estimate the value of goods and services produced in an economy. ... ISO 4217 Code AUD User(s) Australia 6 countries and territories Kiribati Nauru Tuvalu Christmas Island Cocos (Keeling) Islands Norfolk Island Inflation 4. ... ISO 4217 Code AUD User(s) Australia 6 countries and territories Kiribati Nauru Tuvalu Christmas Island Cocos (Keeling) Islands Norfolk Island Inflation 4. ... For other uses, see Euro (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Euro (disambiguation). ... This article is about the country of Bosnia and Herzegovina. ... C$ redirects here. ... For the Chinese civilization, see China. ... CNY and RMB redirect here. ... CNY and RMB redirect here. ... ISO 4217 Code CZK User(s) Czech Republic Inflation 1. ... ISO 4217 Code CZK User(s) Czech Republic Inflation 1. ... ISO 4217 Code DKK User(s) Denmark, Greenland, Faroe Islands 1 Inflation 1. ... ISO 4217 Code DKK User(s) Denmark, Greenland, Faroe Islands 1 Inflation 1. ... ISO 4217 Code HKD User(s) Hong Kong Inflation 2. ... “INR” redirects here. ... ISO 4217 Code NOK User(s) Norway Inflation 2. ... ISO 4217 Code NOK User(s) Norway Inflation 2. ... USD redirects here. ... ISO 4217 Code SEK User(s) Sweden Inflation 2. ... ISO 4217 Code SEK User(s) Sweden Inflation 2. ... ISO 4217 Code CHF User(s) Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Campione dItalia Inflation 1. ... is the 42nd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... TRY banknotes and coins The Turkish new lira is the current currency of Turkey and of the de facto state Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. ... GBP redirects here. ... is the 57th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... The World Bank logo The World Bank (the Bank) is a part of the World Bank Group (WBG), is a bank that makes loans to developing countries for development programs with the stated goal of reducing poverty. ...

Pledged amounts as percentages of GDP

The table below examines the amounts pledged for humanitarian efforts in light of rough national economic power, which is arguably a more useful measures. There are a number of caveats that should be kept in mind while reading the table:

  1. The figures do not include the cost of operating military resources deployed to provide aid, and it is unclear how this should be quantified. While some would argue that military resources are already paid for and that the relief effort can be regarded as a logistics training exercise, the increased operational costs are an unbudgeted expenditure. Others would argue that the military resources provide the only infrastructure that will deliver aid in a timely manner to save lives to the hardest hit and neediest areas, and without this quickly deployable infrastructure the other contributions, no matter how large would be useless or arrive too late.
  2. The figures do not tell anything about the rate in which the money will be spent. How much of the money is going to be spent this year and how much is reserved for long-term reconstructions efforts is not reflected by this table.
  3. Use of Gross Domestic Product (or Gross National Product) should be treated with caution as this does not accurately measure a country's ability to provide aid. Similarly, whether to use 'nominal' or 'real' GNP/GDPs can be argued. Some GDP/GNP figures are also out of date e.g. for the year 2002, or even 2001, so comparisons between countries may not be for the same time period. A better comparison might be used by examining Purchasing Power Parity-adjusted GDP/GNP figures (as used in the CIA factbook).
  4. It can be argued, the quality of aid differs as "aid" is an ambiguous term that may cover a wide variety of methods, including 'soft' loans (where the money has to be repaid with interest albeit at below market rates), and 'tied aid' (where the money has to be spent buying goods and services from the donating country). The terms by which the aid is accepted play a large role in determining how useful it is and also affect the relative cost to the donating country.
  5. This is aid for one particular disaster. Without knowing how much aid the various countries and their people donate to other disasters, one cannot draw conclusions on their overall level of generosity.
  6. The numbers below are the pledged contributions. Arguably, only funds that are actually transferred should be counted. For example, after the Bam earthquake in December 2003, the Iranian government received only USD 17.5 million from the USD one billion of international donations that had been promised.[66]
  7. The amounts pledged by individual sovereign nations within the European Union should be increased by amounts pledged by the European Union itself.

With all the caveats in mind, the following table lists some countries in order of nominal aid donated divided by GDP. GDP redirects here. ... Measures of national income and output are used in economics to estimate the value of goods and services produced in an economy. ... PPP of GDP for the countries of the world (2003). ... Bam or BAM may mean: Bam, Iran Bam Province, Burkina Faso ISO 639 code for Bambara language Bam Margera An onomatopoeia for a sound. ...

Country GDP (2003 or earlier)
(USD billions) See
[67] Aid (total)
(US$ millions)
 % of GDP Aid by government
(US$ millions)
 % of GDP Aid by public
(US$ millions)
 % of GDP
Australia 518.4 1,322 0.255 1,099 0.212 223.4 0.043
Liechtenstein 0.825 1.2 0.145 ? ? ? ?
Qatar 17.47 25 0.140 ? ? ? ?
Norway 221.6 265.1 0.119 175.3 0.079 89.8 0.040
Netherlands 512 509.1 0.0994 300.5 0.0587 208.6 0.0407
Canada 834.4 743.68 0.089 531.2 0.064 212.48 0.025
Ireland 148.6 117.94 0.079 20 0.0135 97.94 0.0659
Sweden 300.8 230.9 0.077 71.9 0.024 159 0.053
Finland 162 89.5 0.055
Hong Kong 158.6 85.89 0.054 6.41 0.004 79.48 0.05
Saudi Arabia 188.5 97.5 0.052
Switzerland 309.5 157.9 0.051
Denmark 212.4 100.9 0.0475
Germany 2400 1,071 0.0446
United Kingdom 1795 795.2 0.0443 140.3 0.0078 11654.9 0.036
Taiwan 293.2[68] 110 0.038 50 0.017 60 0.021
United Arab Emirates 70.96 25 0.035
United States 10,880 2,875 0.026
Czech Republic 85 19 0.0224
Belgium 302 65.37 0.0216
Singapore 91.34 15 0.016
Greece 173 21.3 0.0123
Japan 4326 580 0.013 500 0.012 80 0.0018
Spain 836.1 3.713 0.00007
Italy 1466 120.13 0.0082
Iceland 10.5 2.5[69] 0.0238
Portugal 149 10.45 0.0070
Mainland China 1410 95.07 0.0067
India 599 183 0.0031
France 1748 54.84 0.0031

Pledged amounts on a per capita basis

- Another way of looking at the figures.

Country Population (July 2004 or earlier)
See
[70] Aid (total)
(USD millions)
per capita (USD) Aid by government
(USD millions)
per capita (USD) Aid by public
(USD millions)
per capita (USD)
Australia 19,913,144 1,322 66.38 1,099 55.19 223.4 11.22
Norway 4,574,560 265.1 57.95 175.3 38.32 89.8 19.63
Kuwait 2,257,549 100 44.3
Liechtenstein 32,528 1.2 36.89
Netherlands 16,318,199 509.1 31.20 300.5 18.42 208.6 12.78
Ireland 3,939,558 117.94 29.94 20 5.08 97.94 24.86
Qatar 840,290 20 23.80
Canada 32,507,874 743.68 22.88 531.2 16.34 212.48 6.54
Switzerland 7,450,867 157.9 21.19
Sweden 9,010,627 230.9 25.63 71.9 7.97 159 17.64
Finland 5,214,512 89.5 17.16
Denmark 5,413,392 87.5 16.16
United Kingdom 60,270,708 795.7 13.20 140.3 2.33 654.9 10.87
Hong Kong 6,855,125 85.89 12.529 6.41 0.935 79.48 11.594
Germany 82,424,609 992 12.04
United States 293,027,571 2,875 9.81
Iceland 293,966 2.5 8.50
United Arab Emirates 2,523,915 20 7.92
Taiwan (ROC) 22,191,087 110 4.96 50 2.25 60 2.71
Japan 127,333,002 580 4.55 500 3.93 80 0.63
Singapore 4,353,893 15 3.45
Belgium 10,348,276 24.9 2.41
Italy 58,057,477 125 2.15
Greece 10,647,529 21.6 2.03
Czech Republic 10,246,178 19 1.85
Spain 40,280,780 73.1 1.81
Saudi Arabia 25,795,938 30 1.16
Portugal 10,524,145 10.9 1.04
France 60,424,213 57 0.94
Mainland China 1,298,847,624 63 0.05
India 1,065,070,607 23 0.02

Asia and Oceania

Australia
  • Federal Government — After committing and distributing to international aid an initial AUD 10 million pledge (USD 7.7 million), the government of Australia announced on 29 December and 31 December that two additional disbursements of AUD 25 million (USD 18.1 million) each would be committed:[71] AUD 10 million to aid organizations, AUD 10 million to Indonesia, and AUD 5 million (USD 3.6 million) to Sri Lanka. Foreign Affairs Minister Alexander Downer has indicated Australia will offer further aid as needed. On 5 January in Jarkarta, Prime Minister John Howard announced an Australian aid package of AUD 1 billion[72] for Indonesia (USD 766.89m), significantly exceeding the half billion expected.[73] The bilateral aid package[74] consists equally of grant assistance and highly concessional funding. On 11 January, AUD 500,000 aid was announced for the Seychelles, taking total federal government monetary assistance to AUD 1,060,500,000.
  • State governments — The governments of the Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, the Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia, Victoria and Western Australia have all pledged monetary assistance to a combined total of AUD 17.45 million (USD 13.6 million).
  • Military/Professional — As part of Australia's aid-assistance, the Australian Defence Force (ADF) is working extensively in the region, alongside American forces. Upwards on 900 unarmed personnel are working in Indonesia, including 15 air-traffic controllers managing the massive aid effort in Aceh. Eight Royal Australian Air Force C-130 Hercules are currently assisting in the massive clean-up in Indonesia. Four Hercules are moving stores within Indonesia, while another four planes are establishing an air bridge to move material and personnel from Australia. At the outbreak of the disaster, three were immediately dispatched, laden with essentials such as medical supplies, water purification units, blankets and bottled water. Also, a Royal Australian Navy amphibious transport ship HMAS Kanimbla was dispatched from Sydney on New Year's Eve, to arrive in Indonesia on 13 January, with two H-3 Sea King helicopters on board. Furthermore, four Australian Army UH-1 Iroquois helicopters are working in Aceh, where the ADF has established a field hospital and water plant. The Australian Federal Police (AFP) also has teams on the ground, particularly in Thailand, including body identification teams. Teams of medical and emergency professionals were sent with the call going out for volunteers ready and willing to fly to the affected areas to further assist with the relief and rebuilding operation. In response to a request from the Maldivian Government, Australia has sent ecological experts to repair coral reefs - the life-blood of Maldivian tourism - and teachers to restore schooling. The estimated cost of this additional support is above AUD 60 million (USD 46.5m), and is being managed by Emergency Management Australia (EMA).
  • Public/Corporate — Australia's three major commercial television networks, the Seven Network, the Nine Network and Network Ten took the unprecedented step of pooling resources to organise a special concert telethon which aired on 8 January. Simultaneously broadcast on all three networks and in most capitals on the Triple M radio network, the telethon was an extraordinary display of solidarity and co-operation in the usually fiercely competitive commercial television and radio markets (see Australia Unites: Reach Out To Asia). As of end of broadcast, the figure raised/pledged was AUD 15,198,349.53, however phone lines remained open and the final tally totalled at over AUD 20 million. Overall corporate response has been criticised as inadequate, particularly considering bumper profits. The Australian public has raised over AUD 190 million (USD 143.37 million) so far. As a sign of respect to the victims of the disaster, New Year's Eve celebrations around the country were either toned down or cancelled. Most of those celebrations that did proceed organised collections for charities in an attempt to avoid criticism. Australia's largest New Year's celebration, in Sydney, alone raised over AUD 1.1 million for.[75]
Cambodia The Royal Cambodian Government has donated USD 40,000 total: USD 10,000 each to India, Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Thailand. See[76]
China (PRC) The PRC government will send RMB 521.63 million (USD 63 million) to South and Southeast Asia. The overall donations from the Chinese public up to now are over 500 million RMB.
Hong Kong, SAR of China As of 7 January 2005, citizens of Hong Kong have donated a total of HKD 560 million (USD 71.8 million) (CRHK, HKET).

Hutchison Whampoa Limited and Li Ka Shing Foundation of Hong Kong announced on 28 December 2004 that they would donate HKD 24 million (USD 3.08 million) for the relief fund. Performer Karen Joy Morris (aka. Karen Man Wai Mok) pledged to donate HKD 200 thousand (Ming Pao). Performers of EEG also pledged to donate a total sum of HKD 630 thousand. Sir Run Run Shaw has donated HKD 10 m. The Commonwealth of Australia is a federative constitutional monarchy under a parliamentary democracy. ... is the 363rd day of the year (364th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 365th day of the year (366th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Alexander John Gosse Downer, MP (born 9 September 1951) was Foreign Minister of Australia from March 1996 to December 2007, the longest serving in Australian history. ... is the 5th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... John Winston Howard (born 26 July 1939) is an Australian politician and the 25th Prime Minister of Australia. ... is the 11th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Capital Canberra Government Constitutional monarchy Administrator none Chief Minister Jon Stanhope (ALP) Federal representation  - House seats 2  - Senate seats 2 Gross Territorial Product (2006)  - Product ($m)  $19,167 (6th)  - Product per capita  $57,303/person (1st) Population (End of November 2006)  - Population  333,667 (7th)  - Density  137. ... NSW redirects here. ... For similar terms, see Northern Territories (disambiguation) Slogan or Nickname: The Territory, The NT, The Top End Motto(s): none Other Australian states and territories Capital Darwin Government Constitutional monarchy Administrator Ted Egan Chief Minister Clare Martin (ALP) Federal representation  - House seats 2  - Senate seats 2 Gross Territorial Product (2004... Slogan or Nickname: Sunshine State, Smart State Motto(s): Audax at Fidelis (Bold but Faithful) Other Australian states and territories Capital Brisbane Government Constitutional monarchy Governor Quentin Bryce Premier Anna Bligh (ALP) Federal representation  - House seats 28  - Senate seats 12 Gross State Product (2004-05)  - Product ($m)  $158,506 (3rd... For the song, see South Australia (song). ... VIC redirects here. ... Slogan or Nickname: Wildflower State or the Golden State Other Australian states and territories Capital Perth Government Constitutional monarchy Governor Ken Michael Premier Alan Carpenter (ALP) Federal representation  - House seats 15  - Senate seats 12 Gross State Product (2005-06)  - Product ($m)  $107,910 (4th)  - Product per capita  $53,134/person... The Australian Defence Force (ADF) is the military organisation responsible for the defence of Australia. ... The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) is the Air Force branch of the Australian Defence Force. ... The Lockheed C-130 Hercules is a four-engine turboprop cargo aircraft and the main tactical airlifter for many military forces worldwide. ... The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) is the naval branch of the Australian Defence Force. ... HMAS Kanimbla (LPA-51) was acquired as a training and helicopter support ship, originally built as the Newport class tank landing ship (LST) USS Saginaw for the U.S. Navy. ... This article is about the metropolitan area in Australia. ... The Sikorsky SH-3 Sea King (company designation S-61) is a twin-engined anti-submarine warfare (ASW)helicopter. ... The Australian Army is Australias military land force. ... This article is about the military versions of the Bell 204 and 205 models. ... Aceh (pronounced , generally Anglicized as IPA: ) is a special territory (daerah istimewa) of Indonesia, located on the northern tip of the island of Sumatra. ... The Australian Federal Police (AFP) is the federal police agency of the Commonwealth of Australia. ... Emergency Management Australia (EMA) is an Australian Federal Government Agency tasked with coordinating governmental responses to emergency incidents. ... The Seven Network is an Australian television network, owned by the Seven Media Group. ... The Nine Network, or Channel Nine, is an Australian television network based in Willoughby, a suburb on the North Shore of Sydney. ... Network Ten, or Channel Ten, is one of Australias three major commercial television networks. ... The 2005 Telethon on Seven Perth. ... is the 8th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is about the radio station network. ... For other articles with similar names, see New Year (disambiguation). ... This article is about the metropolitan area in Australia. ... For the Chinese civilization, see China. ... CNY and RMB redirect here. ... is the 7th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Commercial Radio Hong Kong is one of the two commercial radio broadcasting company in Hong Kong (the other being Metro Radio). ... Hong Kong Economics Times (HKET) (香港經濟日報, Cantonese IPA: hœŋ1gɔŋ2 giŋ1dzɑɪ3 jɐt6bəʊ3, Mandarin Pinyin: Xiānggǎng Jīngjì Rìbào) is a Chinese business newspaper with an average daily circulation of 73,330 copies currently. ... Hutchison Whampoa Limited (HWL, 和記黃埔有限公司), (HKSE: 0013) , of Hong Kong, is one of the largest companies listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. ... This is a Chinese name; the family name is 李 (Lǐ) Sir Li Ka Shing, GBM, KBE (Simplified Chinese: ; Traditional Chinese: ; pinyin: , Jyutping: Lei5 Gaa1-sing4, Li2 Gia1-sêng5 gdr, born July 29, 1928), is one of the most famous businessmen in the world for his wealth and his business... is the 362nd day of the year (363rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... ISO 4217 Code HKD User(s) Hong Kong Inflation 2. ... Karen Joy Morris, or Karen Mok Man-Wai (莫文蔚, born in June 2, 1970) is a Hong Kong-based actress and singer. ... Ming Pao (Traditional Chinese: ; Simplified Chinese: ; Jyutping ming4 bou3; Hanyu Pinyin: míngbào), a Chinese language newspaper, is a publication by the Ming Pao Group in Hong Kong. ... Emperor Entertainment Group (EEG; 英皇娛樂集團有限公司) SEHK: 8078 is one of the largest entertainment groups in Hong Kong. ... This is a Chinese name; the family name is Shaw Sir Run Run Shaw CBE, GBM (Chinese name: 邵逸夫, originally named 邵仁楞; born 1907) is a Hong Kong media mogul. ...


Hong Kong Jockey Club has donated HKD 10 m, and will donate HKD 1 for each dollar it received from donors (target at a minimum HKD 10 m). MTR donated HKD 0.5 for each passenger trip on 2 January 2005, with a total sum at HKD 1 m. KCR donated all the fares collected in the four-hour extension of train services on 1 January 2005. The Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC, 香港賽馬會) (formerly The Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club, 英皇御准香港賽馬會) is a non-profit organisation providing horse racing, sporting and betting entertainments in Hong Kong. ... This article is about the metro system in Hong Kong. ... is the 2nd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... For other uses, see KCR (disambiguation). ... is the 1st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...


Hong Kong Red Cross has collected HKD 100 m (global target USD 46 m / HKD 360 m). MSF has stopped collected donations for the tsunami, and requested donors to donate to its other programmes. World Vision Hong Kong has collected HKD 50 m. The Anarchist Black Cross was originally called the Anarchist Red Cross. The band Redd Kross was originally called Red Cross. This article needs to be cleaned up to conform to a higher standard of quality. ... Médecins Sans Frontières logo Médecins Sans Frontières ( ) (English: Doctors Without Borders, its official name in the United States) is a secular humanitarian-aid non-governmental organization best known for its projects in war-torn regions and developing countries facing endemic disease. ... This article is about the charitable organization. ...


A variety show TV programme on TVB and RTHK on 2 January 2005 has collected HKD 40 m (HKET). REDIRECT Television Broadcasts Limited ... Television Programs RTHK produces public affairs television programs which are broadcast by Hong Kongs three commercial television channels, TVB, ATV and Cable TV. These programmes include Hong Kong Connection (鏗鏘集), A Week in Politics (議事論事), Media Watch (傳媒春秋) and Police Magazine (警訊). ... is the 2nd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Hong Kong Economics Times (HKET) (香港經濟日報, Cantonese IPA: hœŋ1gɔŋ2 giÅ‹1dzɑɪ3 jɐt6bəʊ3, Mandarin Pinyin: XiānggÇŽng JÄ«ngjì Rìbào) is a Chinese business newspaper with an average daily circulation of 73,330 copies currently. ...


Various NGOs, companies and individuals have set off to the affected countries to offer assistance. NGO redirects here. ... The term company may refer to a separate legal entity, as in English law, or may simply refer to a business, as is the common use in the United States. ...


The government of Hong Kong has sent 120 personnel to help Hong Kong residents and search for missing people. Police and medical teams are stand-by to offer assistance.


Update: At December 3 2005, Red Cross Hong Kong has already collected HK$620m.[43] is the 337th day of the year (338th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... The Anarchist Black Cross was originally called the Anarchist Red Cross. The band Redd Kross was originally called Red Cross. This article needs to be cleaned up to conform to a higher standard of quality. ... ISO 4217 Code HKD User(s) Hong Kong Inflation 2. ...

Macau Macau Red Cross has collected MOP 35 m.
India
  • Government of India — The federal government has pledged INR 1 billion (USD $23 million) to Sri Lanka and Maldives in addition to warships and aircraft to distribute relief supplies. A federal budgetary allocation of INR 7 billion (USD 160 million) has been earmarked for immediate distribution to affected Indian provinces.
  • Military — As part of India's rescue and aid-assistance,[77] the Indian Navy and the Indian Coast Guard deployed 32 Naval ships, seven aircraft and 20 helicopter in the Indian ocean region. This was the part of various opertions like 'Operation Madath' (In Indian states of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu coasts), 'Operation Sea Waves' (Indian territory of Andaman & Nicobar Islands), 'Operation Castor' (In Maldives), 'Operation Rainbow' (In Sri Lanka) and 'Operation Gambhir' (In Indonesia).[78] Also Indian Naval group was able to start the rescue operations in neighbouring countries within 12 hours from the time of the Tsunami and the first foreign navy to reach them.[79]
  • Public — The citizens of India and various NGO's have actively participated in providing relief materials and charity to the Tsunami striken people.
Japan The Japanese government will provide USD 500 million in aid to affected countries. Emergency medical teams were sent to Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Thailand and the Maldives.

Japan, which is the world's second largest donor of Official Development Assistance (known as ODA), is also dispatching Japan Self-Defense Forces vessels off Northern Sumatra to supply aid. Land, Air, and Maritime Forces were already ordered preparation. “INR” redirects here. ... “INR” redirects here. ... The Indian Navy is the naval branch of the armed forces of India. ... Indian Coast Guards coat of Arms. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Development aid. ... The Japan Self-Defense Forces ), or JSDF, are the military forces in Japan that were established after the end of World War II. The force has not been engaged in real combat but has been engaged in some international peacekeeping operations. ...

Malaysia Malaysia has also sent rescue teams abroad to as local damage were minimal and this freed the Special Malaysian Rescue Team (SMART) to fly to Indonesia. The team 73-member combination unit from SMART,[80] and the Fire and Rescue Department were sent to medan with food supply, medicine and clothing for about 2,000 victims. An additional military doctors team in a CN 235 aircraft and a[81] were also sent to Aceh. Further aid are being sent using C-130 Hercules transport aircraft,[82] a volunteer body for humanitarian relief consisting of doctors and nurses have also flown to Sri Lanka. Currently, it has two teams based in Kesdam Military Hospital, one of the two surviving hospitals in Banda Aceh. Malaysia also has opened its airspace and two airports, Subang Airport and Langkawi International Airport to relief operations and acts as a staging base to forward relief supplies to Aceh.
New Zealand
  • Government — The New Zealand government announced it will donate NZD 10 million (USD 7.2 million). On January 18, the New Zealand Government announced an increase in aid to a total of NZD 68 million (USD 47.2M), including its initial NZD 10 million commitment. The government's response includes $NZ20 million ($A18.4 million) for United Nations relief efforts, $NZ20 million ($A18.4 million) for work in Aceh and other parts of Sumatra through a bilateral aid program in Indonesia and a $NZ19 million ($A17.5 million) dollar-for-dollar matching of public donations by New Zealanders.
  • Military — Also, an airforce (RNZAF) C-130 Hercules, working in unison with the Royal Australian Air Force, has been sent for evacuation and transport of relief supplies. . New Zealand has also sent an RNZAF 757 aircraft to the Thai city of Phuket with a specialist victim identification team on board. The 38-year old aircraft have, unfortunately, been plagued with severe technical difficulties, and on several occasions, been forced to halt aid efforts.
  • Public — The New Zealand government also announced that it would match, dollar for dollar, the amount pledged by its citizens to various charities. As of January 18, this equates to a further NZD 19 million.[83]
North Korea The government of North Korea has pledged USD 150,000.[66]
Pakistan
  • Government of Pakistan has announced a PKR 10 million (USD 0.2 million) relief package for the earthquake victims of Sri Lanka. This consists of goods such as tents, medicines, drinking water and food items.
  • Military Pakistan plans to send 500 military personnel in medical and engineering teams to Indonesia and Sri Lanka.
    • Aeroplanes2 C-130 aeroplanes with relief goods and 250 doctors and engineers left forIndonesia and Sri Lanka each.[84] Six more C-130 will fly to Indonesia in a week to help in the relief work. and also two two Seaking helicopters onboard PNS (Pakistan Navy Ship) Moawin are in srilanka to provide logistics support.[85]
    • Navy ships Ships Khyber and Mua'awan are being sent to Sri Lanka. On board, these ships have three helicopters, a marine Expeditionary Force, doctors, and paramedics. Besides, relief goods - medicines, medical equipment, food supplies, tents, blankets- are being sent in huge quantities. Pakistan Navy ships, Tariq and Nasr, on a good will visit to the Maldives, saved 367 foreign tourists, representing 17 nationalities conducted aerial surveys to judge the extent of damage, distributed food and medicines, and provided medical assistance.[86] Pakistan Navy Task Force arrived at Colombo port to provide humanitarian assistance and relief goods to the government of Sri Lanka. An ISPR (Navy) statement here on Tuesday said that the commander of the Task Force is Commodore Ehsan Saeed and it comprises Pakistan Navy ship Moawin, a Logistic support ship having two Seaking helicopters onboard and PNS Khaibar, a guided missile destroyer carrying one Aloutte helicopter. On arrival, officials from Pakistan Mission at Colombo and local Navy officials of Sri Lanka received the ships.[85]

Upon arrival, a co-ordination meeting was held onboard PNS Moawin between Sri Lanka Navy officials, Pakistan High Commissioner to Sri Lanka and Pakistan Navy Mission Commander Commodore Ehsan Saeed to discuss the modus operandi of the relief operat The Lockheed C-130 Hercules, a four-engine turboprop aircraft, is the main tactical air transport aircraft of the United States and UK military forces. ... Langkawi is an archipelago of 99 islands in the Anda