Tsunami anniversary - Aid must continue into the future

The world, and especially the countries around the Indian Ocean, yesterday remembered the tsunami and the utter devastation it wreaked across some of the poorest communities there 12 months ago.

Yet, from the destruction and decimation of human life on such a previously unimaginable scale came a response from the international community of an unprecedented level to meet the disaster which left the world shocked and awe-struck.

In the region of 228,000 people perished in the awesome natural catastrophe that affected 13 different countries directly, and claimed the lives of so many others from across the globe.

The Indonesian province of Aceh, nearest to the quake epicentre, was the worst affected area, and over two-thirds of the deaths happened there.

Like so many countries, Ireland had its victims and it was right that Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, in commemorating all those who died, should have honoured the memory of Lucy Coyle, Éilísh Finnegan, Conor Keightley and Michael Murphy who so tragically lost their lives.

The thoughts and sympathies of a nation were with their families and friends who will never forget the calamity that blighted their lives in such a razing act of nature.

South-East Asia has a long journey towards complete recovery, a process which will involve an even greater degree of the resilience already witnessed throughout the area of the Indian Ocean, and the continued support of the richer countries.

Ireland's contribution was significant at over €100 million, with €80m donated privately and the balance from Government funds. On a global scale, more than €10 billion was raised to help the devastated countries.

It was, of course, important that Mr Ahern alluded to the magnificent response of the Irish people and to the unstinted work of organisations such as Concern, Trócaire and Goal. Ireland's contribution, he said, placed it as "one of the most generous in the world a fact of which we should be most proud".

Never have the people of this country been found wanting in their characteristic generosity in the face of disasters abroad, and neither were they on the occasion of the vastly widespread destruction affected by the tsunami.

Even though the United Nations recognised the international response as the most generous and most immediately funded emergency relief effort, the aid will have to continue long into the future.

From a statistical aspect, the figures seem almost overwhelming, with over 392,000 houses reduced to rubble and another 308,000 needed to house the survivors, and only 46,000 have currently been constructed.

Mr Ahern was mindful that, 12 months after the tsunami, the second largest earthquake in recorded history, there are still an estimated 1.5 million people living in tents, temporary shelters or in the homes of family and friends across the region.

His pledge that as the survivors seek to achieve their goal to build back and build back better, "we will assist in this", cannot be forgotten.

A renewed determination to reach the UN target of overseas development aid, already reneged upon previously, will have to be a future priority of the Government.