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Report of Fact Finding Trip of Maldives Tsunami Project – 16th January 2005
Maldives has never had a natural disaster on this scale. The tsunami left 82 dead and 26 missing. 1/3 of the population was affected. 200 islands were affected, 9 of them totally devastated. More than 13,000 (close to 5%) of the country’s 278 000 population are now homeless or internally displaced, and many islands remain uninhabitable due to the widespread destruction. About 25% of the resort islands were also destroyed or damaged, for those that remained or re-opened, there has been massive cancellation of reservations and so resorts have no choice but to reduce staff.
Travel and tourism represent 74.1% of the GDP of the country. The country’s low death toll understates the scale of the disaster which seriously affected a third of it’s population and damaged half the nations infrastructure consisting of jetties, sea walls, public facilities like generators, desalination plants, telecommunications and buildings like schools, government offices, clinics and regional hospitals.
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The tsunami had a large impact on the economy of this small and widely dispersed island country. Maldivian officials worry that because of the country’s small size and scant international media attention, the international community will overlook their need for disaster and reconstruction aid.
The giant tidal waves completely washed over many of her low lying inhabited islands destroying houses, water supplies, agriculture and food supplies, and washing away or destroying personal belongings right down to cash savings and electrical appliances.
Summary of the trip
This was a productive trip. On our flight to Male, the capital, through Mr Khaleel (Director, Maldivian Government Trade Office, Singapore), we met President Gayoom, Minister of Finance & Treasury, Mr. Jaleel and the Minister of Foreign Affairs who were returning from the Jakarta Tsunami Summit and were on the same flight. We were asked to meet the nation’s Disaster Task Force that same afternoon.
We visited the National Disaster Centre and met with the Minister of Defense and National Security (the ministry coordinating the disaster efforts). They presented some of the needs of the people. (see notes end of this)
Over the next 2 days, we visited 4 islands that were reported as “worst hit”, 2 in South Male Atoll (1 hour by fast boat from Male) and 2 in Meemu Atoll (3 hours by fast boat from Male). Most of the houses on these islands were either totally destroyed or seriously damaged. On Kohlufushi, 100% of the local population are now in boats or temporary shelters (tents) with a communal kitchen using firewood. Most of their household items and belongings, including cash savings were either swept away or damaged beyond repair.
Wells are now contaminated with debris and dead sea animals. Rain water collection tanks were knocked over or contaminated. Most of the vegetation, fruit trees and vegetable gardens are dying with the exception of coconut trees because of the salt water that soaked through the sandy soil.
Food parcels and potable water have been distributed to the islands by the Government. But it is a struggle to cook food or boil water without proper stoves and fuel.
We visited one regional hospital for an atoll, and saw that all electrical medical equipment were damaged by salt water. The needs for the people on the 4 islands are almost identical; rebuilding of homes, water systems and restoring lives to normal with aid like kitchen essentials, bed linen and furniture.
Bandos Resort graciously hosted us in their resort. Mr WM Deen, the MD of the resort arranged our schedule and sponsored most of our transportation for our entire stay. (see notes at end) We were pleased to hear that Singapore owned resorts helped out from the beginning. Some provided cooked food for the first few days, then clothing, bedsheets and small machinery to clear debris.
Now various resorts are undertaking rebuilding and or repairs to houses on other non-resort islands. Mr Azeez Hakeem from the Banyan Tree contacted us. With UNDP funding, they have taken on rebuilding or repairing homes on the small island of Naalaafushi in the Meemu Atoll (same atoll and very near to the ones we visited). They have requested that we consider furnishing kitchen essentials for this island, upon completion of their work.
Preliminary Proposal for CRS engagement in Maldives |
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