Financial Times

Tsunami: six months after
While making inquiries to get information for this week’s comprehensive story on tsunami recovery efforts, we came across government officials anxiously wanting to know whether our story was going to be positive or negative. They were worried that the media would put a negative ‘spin’ on their good efforts to help tsunami victims recover and did not seem to be completely convinced when we assured them that there were negative as well as positive stories arising from our inquiries and that our story would be a balanced one.

Now, it might be natural for government officials to want the media to put a positive spin on the news about their work but at the same time it is only natural for the media to highlight the negative aspects of the situation as what requires urgent attention are the areas where work is not being done fast enough. And, as is well known, if the spotlight is not focused on such situations, chances are that nothing will get done or whatever work is being done would continue at its usual, leisurely pace.

It is also natural for victims to want the government and others responsible for their recovery to act faster. Nobody wants to live in a tent or makeshift home for longer than necessary.

Six months after the tsunami, the story is indeed a mixed one with much work already done to help victims recover and rebuild their lives and livelihoods but much work also remaining to be done. What has emerged from our inquiries is that while the initial, most urgent requirements in the aftermath of the tsunami were met, the next phase of the effort, especially moving victims into semi-permanent abodes, finding them some sort of livelihood and the long-term rebuilding effort is subject to unacceptable delays. And one of the most constant complaints that we hear is the lack of co-ordination in the recovery effort.

Now, such lack of co-ordination and delay is not entirely unexpected, given the magnitude and unprecedented nature of the disaster and the recovery effort. Some mistakes, delay and confusion are to be expected as also attempts by the more unscrupulous elements in our society to take advantage of the situation and get aid they are not entitled to by pretending they are tsunami victims.

The good news is that the second largest fish trading centre of the country, the Lellama in Negombo, is almost back to normal. As a community, the fishing community was worst hit by the tsunami with some 80 percent of fishermen affected. But, as our story says, there are still a large number of small-time fishermen who are yet to receive the required relief.

Perhaps the most heart rending story is that a large number of victims still have no jobs. A recent ILO survey has found that 40 percent of victims still have no livelihood. The survey found that almost all affected households have received from government, full or partial payment of Rs.5,000 per family per month, plus Rs.375 per person per week. However, as of end May, most only received two payments.

Government statistics don’t always tell the whole story and while things may look rosy on paper, the reality on the ground is often entirely different.
Another key finding by the ILO is that 80 per cent find the uncertainty of possible relocation a major stumbling block to rebuilding their livelihood. And 60 per cent of respondents feel they lack information about services and entitlements offered. Six months is long enough for the bureaucracy to get its act together. The economy cannot afford any further delays in the recovery effort.

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