Remembering the Children of the Tsunami
Three years ago today as many of us sat with family and friends, enjoying the end of the Christmas holiday, an unpredicted tsunami struck South Asia, leaving nothing but destruction and death in it’s wake. In remembrance to the estimated 230,000 people from 13 countries, who lost their lives on that unforgettable day, many memorial and remembrance ceremonies where held across the globe today.
Sadly the effects of that devastating day linger on, many children and their families are still unable to escape the detrimental after effects of the disaster. While some $13.6 billion has been estimated donated thus far, many local communities have seen little assistance in getting their lives and homes back to normal, and children are most often the hardest hit.
In the wake of the tsunami many children where left orphans, placing them at risk for trafficking networks, which prey on vulnerable children, who sell children forced labor or sexual slavery. Aid agencies and governments have took numerous steps to see that children where protected, and many safeguard systems where put into place. Education was also a source for concern, as the rebuilding of schools has been slow, but education remains a priority and schools continue to provide stability and hope for the future.
While considerable progress has been made in areas such as health, nutrition, education, and protection, children in the tsunami effected regions continue to remain at risk, as the rebuilding and recovery continues. The three year aniversiry of the tsunami serves not only as a reminder to remember those whom lost their lives, but those who survived and continue to need the international communities help to recover and develop sustainable programs to ensure their futures are never again uprooted in such a devastating way.
Related News Articles and Links:
Three Year UNICEF Tsunami Anniversary Monitoring Report
Commemorations held in Thailand for 3rd anniversary of tsunami
People mark the three-year anniversary of the Indian Ocean tsunami at a memorial in Khao
Mourners Mark Three Year Anniversary Of Worst Known Tsunami In History
BBC
The Christian Science Monitor
Tsunami Children Lost, Vulnerable
In Pictures: Children’s tsunami art
Tsunami Children Foundation
Tsunami Children - CNN Photo’s
Children of Tsunami
UNICEF Newsline on the Tsunami