By World Vision staff
Five years ago, on the morning of 26th December 2004, a massive undersea earthquake triggered a series of tsunamis that charged across the Indian ocean. The surging waves hit the shores of a dozen countries. Around 230,000 people lost their lives in the disaster.
World Vision mounted its largest-ever relief response, assisting more than one million people in five countries: Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, India and Myanmar.
Tsunami response programmes across the region have ensured that homes, education, health facilities and livelihood support have been provided to those most in need.
Relief programmes are now complete, but we continue to partner with communities affected by the tsunami through new development programmes aimed at improving the well-being of children.
We are also working with communities to help reduce their vulnerability to disasters.