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The December 26, 2004 tsunami was the greatest ever natural disaster that befell Sri Lanka in its recorded history. It claimed about 30,000 lives, destroyed 50,000 dwellings and seriously damaged another 40,000, made about 500,000 homeless, damaged 24,000 boats (70% of the fleet), 11,000 businesses and the coastal infrastructure in nine districts. Tens of thousands lost their livelihoods especially in fishing and tourism. Overall 5% of the land area and about 1.0m (5% of the population) were directly affected. The estimated total economic damage varied between $1.0b and $3.0b depending on the method of calculation.A nation that had been bitterly divided and ravaged by a twenty year old ethnic war rose to the occasion as one nation to provide relief to the victims. The initial relief response has been hailed as a model in self-help by a people of a poor country. Soon money poured in from donors for reconstruction. Unfortunately the allocation of funds was not equitable and harmonious says Dr. Randall Kuhn of Denver University, USA who has researched the reconstruction effort in the southern and eastern provinces. Calling it a “political disaster” he mainly faults the decision makers for this situation.
Citation preview
Boxing Day Tsunami: Natural or Political Disaster?
Randall KuhnJosef Korbel School of International Studies
University of Denver
Key Questions
• What were the political and socioeconomic forces leading up to the tsunami?
• Has the tsunami relief effort constituted a separate political disaster?
Tsunami Deaths and Homes Destroyed by District
Characteristics of Tsunami-Affected Grama Niladari Division, by Region
% of All Homes
Destroyed
Homes Destroyed
per GN
Southern Province 12% 36
Ampara Muslim 20% 71
Ampara Tamil 40% 107
Batticaloa 26% 108
Community Living Standards Index, by Study Group and Severity of Impact
Study Group UnaffectedModerately
AffectedHeavily Affected
Southern Province 0.12 0.72 0.45
Ampara Muslim 0.03 0.05 0.44
Ampara Tamil -1.19 -0.46 -0.95
Batticaloa -0.66 -0.62 -0.48
Total -0.19 0.23 -0.30
Sainthamarathu Tamil Division Removed after 1967 Riots
Ninthavur dhobis largely left in 1970s
Much of Addaipallam Tamil population disperses
Many of these families moved to coastal areas in Karativu, Vinayagapuram, Akkaraipattu
Ninthavur
Sinna Mugathuwaram aka 40th Mile Post: 226 Homes Destroyed
Original Lime Burner Settlement Moved from Akkaraipattu 4th Division after 1958 floods
Akkaraipattu
Kalmunai / Marathamunai
Expansion of Marathumanai towards local beach areas and beach areas in Periya Neelavanai and Pandiruppu
Periya Neelavanai
Aerial Photo of Batticaloa, 1972
Navalady
Dutch Bar
Thiruchendoor
Pulliyanthivu
Koddamunai
Major Areas of Housing Impact, Batticaloa Division
Navalady: 433 Homes
Dutch Bar: 252
Thiruchendoor: 618
Koddamunai: 0
Pulliyanthivu: 0
Donor Housing Commitment and Expenditure per Destroyed Home, by District
District Commitment Expenditure
Ampara $5,060 $2,613
Batticaloa $6,262 $2,949
Galle $7,612 $4,578
Hambantota $25,388 $19,185
Matara $13,970 $7,611
0
1000
2000
3000
4000
5000
6000
7000
8000
9000
10000
5297 5262
8597
5557
2500
12901080 997
2555 27592394
4065
Figure 4: Total Homes Destroyed and Total Homes Built by October 2006, selected sub-populations
Homes Destroyed
Homes Built
HambantotaHardly Heaven
Chasing the Bowser in Akkaraipattu
Progress in
PeriyaNilavanai
On the Beach in Kalmunaikudy
Thank you!!!
