Indian Ocean Tsunami: Two Years Later

Throughout the tsunami-affected region, Mercy Corps is answering President Clinton's call to "build back better," having helped more than 1 million people strengthen their local economies, livelihoods and communities. Here are a few examples of Mercy Corps' work in the region:

• In Indonesia, Mercy Corps has helped over 1,000 farmers restore, replant and harvest over 300 hectares of rice fields.
• The agency has assisted over 100 micro and small businesses to develop business plans, and guaranteed 83 loans creating or sustaining over 330 jobs.
• In Sri Lanka, Mercy Corps is focusing on rebuilding communities and livelihoods, while also working to address local sources of tension. Mercy Corps currently supports community development activities in 37 communities benefiting 75,000 people.
• In Somalia, Mercy Corps has completed the rehabilitation of over 60 kilometers of roads in the coastal city of Puntland, benefiting over 8,700 people.
• In India, Mercy Corps partnered with two local organizations to reach over 44,000 people with emergency relief and longer-term development to affected villages, focusing on agricultural rehabilitation and community-identified improvement projects.

At President Clinton's request, Mercy Corps joined the American Red Cross and several other organizations to conduct an industry study earlier this year examining accountability, coordination, human rights, capacity building and professionalism in the tsunami response and recovery. As a result, participating groups endorsed several recommendations and commitments to improving partnerships, assuring quality, and supporting informed and responsible giving.

"I have seen very many examples of deep engagement with local communities, but I also have seen recovery efforts that missed that critical element," Clinton said this spring. "I am grateful that Mercy Corps and the American Red Cross have offered to convene the working group."