News
UNDP
hands over fishing boats to tsunami survivors
14 June 2006 - This project is implemented by Islamic Relief
and targets fishing communities in the Pidie district in the east coast
of Banda Aceh, Indonesia. More...
Wind-Up Radios Keep Tsunami-Affected Communities Informed
1 May 2006 - The scenery is breath-taking. As the small plane
makes its approach onto Simeulue, an island on the West coast of Sumatra,
Indonesia, the pristine waters and dense vegetation provide a sense
of lush tropical tranquility. This remote place however was deeply affected
by the tsunami and a subsequent earthquake. Lives were lost. The economy
was devastated. Homes, fishing boats, agricultural fields were all engulfed
by the gigantic wave. More...
Tsunami-hit Thai Muslim Community Granted Land Rights in a
National Park
7 March 2006, Koh Muk, Trang Province Thailand –
An historic ground-breaking ceremony today marks a triumph for the Muslim
community living on Koh Muk in securing land rights for their resettlement
after the tsunami destroyed their village. This case is a landmark victory
in the fight for secure land tenure along the tsunami-ravaged Andaman
coast of Southern Thailand. More
All-Women Local Bank opens in tsunami hit Meuraxa, Banda Aceh
Banda Aceh, 2 February 2006 – Residents
of Meuraxa in Banda Aceh can now deposit their money, apply for loans
and get general financial supports and advice from their own local bank
named Baitul Quiradh Meuraxa. More...
Building Boom in Aceh, Indonesia, to Reach $2 Billion a Year
22 December – An unprecedented jump in construction
could result in many opportunities for the poorest in this tsunami-hit
community, with the right training and enhanced local production of
materials. Full
story
Controlled Demo to take down tallest tower in Banda Aceh -
Debris to be used for rebuilding
20 December, Banda Aceh, Indonesia - The tallest non-religious
building in Banda Aceh will be brought down in a controlled demolition
beginning today. The 45-year old water tower heavily damaged by the
tsunami, which stands like a local Tower of Pisa with a pie on top,
is a hazard to people and buildings around it. The heavy concrete debris
from this famous local landmark, which was damaged in the earthquake
and tsunami nearly a year ago, will be scooped up and used to rebuild
essential feeder roads, including one leading to the new Ulee Lhu port
which opened earlier this month. Full
story
First Ferry Since Tsunami Moors at Ulee Lheu Port
Banda Aceh, 9 December 2005 – The ferry
from Sabang Island, Indonesia landed at Ulee Lhue port in Banda Aceh
today for the first time since the tsunami, following an extensive rehabilitation
programme by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Banda
Aceh Transportation Agency which has returned the port to use. Full
story
Banda Aceh, December 8 – Victims of the tsunami who have not been able to access housing support because they could not prove ownership of their land can now use a simple leaflet as a temporary land deed.
The inability of many victims to prove land ownership, either because their deeds were swept away by the wave or because their land wasn’t actually registered, has proved a major stumbling block to the reconstruction effort. The leaflet, which explains housing rights and entitlements to victims, also contains a form which, when filled in and signed by local officials, can legally be used as a temporary land deed. Full story
UNDP and UN Staff Finalize Plans for Staff Donations Slated
for Tsunami Recovery
2 December, New York —The UN Staff Relief Committee for
Tsunami Victims, which collected $245,477 has signed an agreement with
the United Nations Development Programme to implement a range of projects
to help tsunami survivors rebuild their lives. With the UN Foundation
matching the staff contribution, the total funding for the programmes
amounts to almost $500,000.Full
story.
On the Eve of Tsunami Commemoration
Former U.S. President Bill Clinton, the U.N. Envoy for Tsunami Recovery,
Returns to Indonesia
ACEH, Indonesia 30 November 2005 - As the one-year commemoration
of the tsunami approaches, former U.S. President Bill Clinton, the United
Nations Special Envoy for Tsunami Recovery, returned to Indonesia today
to the region that suffered the greatest damage and loss caused by the
December 2004 tsunami. More..
Thailand Launches New Tsunami
Aid Tracking System
Bangkok, 28 October 2005 – A new website to
track international assistance to Thailand’s tsunami recovery
effort was launched today. It is expected to significantly improve coordination
and monitoring of the long-term international support to tsunami recovery
in Thailand. More..
Tsunami survivors in Banda Aceh receiving small businesses
assistance
Banda Aceh, 19 October 2005 – More than 2,000
tsunami survivors are receiving entrepreneurial training under the first
stage of UNDP’s small businesses project. The project offers training
in business basics, such as in adopting a business plan and in managing
finances. So far, 300 businesses have been awarded grants. More...
Sri Lanka launches new system
to monitor tsunami funds
Colombo, Sri Lanka, 2 September 2005 —Sri Lanka today
launched a new system to track tsunami reconstruction assistance that
will allow anyone with an internet connection to monitor progress. The
web site, http://dad.tafren.gov.lk, allows the public to see how funds
are being spent, right down to the district level. Similar systems will
soon be launched in other tsunami-affected countries including Indonesia,
Maldives and Thailand. More...
