EU's contribution to the international response to the 2004 Asian tsunami: achievements, next steps and lessons learned
Discussion paper, high-level meeting, Brussels, 20 December 2005
The South East Asian Tsunami of 26 December 2004 is estimated to have claimed nearly 300,000 lives. Millions more have been affected. The response of the international community to assist the affected countries in the humanitarian and reconstruction efforts has been unprecedented. The emergency response was quick, and focused action by international donors working with national and local authorities ensured that affected people benefited from access to food, improved sources of water, sanitation and health services. EU humanitarian assistance started to arrive on the very day of the disaster. The general consensus is that emergency relief successfully met the immediate humanitarian needs of the affected people.
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