Response to TSUNAMI Disaster - IUCN Pakistan Programme

At least 50,000 people were feared killed by the earthquake and tsunami in Asia as the first reports of the devastating Asian disaster came in. The appalling earthquake of December 26th, 2004 occurred on the interface of the Indian and Burma plates. The earthquake and the deadly tsunami it generated caused massive devastation in Sumatra (Indonesia), India, Sri Lanka, Maldives and Thailand, and to a lesser extent in Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore and Bangladesh. This is the fourth largest earthquake in the world since 1900 and is the largest since the 1964 Alaska earthquake. As the death
toll rose to several thousands, it is now feared that the death toll may cross 150,000.

In the wake of such devastation and human tragedy, the IUCN Pakistan staff expressed deep concern and extended its heartfelt sympathies over the loss of many innocent human lives. The IUCNP staff was particularly concerned for its staff members in sister offices in Sri Lanka and Thailand. IUCNP staff immediately joined in the support and relief efforts in South Asia by extending donations to many of the international aid organizations.

IUCNP staff is in close touch with its colleagues across Asia and is reviewing steps to assist relief efforts by offering IUCN's human, professional and infrastructural resources in whatever form; required to assist the immediate aid efforts of government agencies, NGOs and local communities. IUCNP is also in touch with the governments of the countries concerned, and with its Asia regional office.

The Asia regional office is also in the process of establishing an emergency relief fund where contributions can be made through an internal cost centre transfer. The IUCNP staff members are individually contributing whole or a part of their salary. However, beyond donating funds or goods, IUCNP family is also offering tremendous amount of expertise and assistance for disaster management, rehabilitation efforts, environmental assessments, etc.