Tsunami Media Update for the Week of February 14, 2005

Tsunami media update for the week of February 14, 2005

Note: This is a weekly summary of media reports concerning damage to aquaculture, aquatic livelihoods of coastal communities and related issues, gathered for the purpose of preparing a regional assessment to aid medium- to long-term rehabilitation of affected areas. It is not intended as a comprehensive summary of media reports, nor is it a summary of general damage. The content does not necessarily reflect the views of the NACA organization.

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Thailand, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, India, Indonesia, Regional, International, Advice on Assessment, Advice Planning.

Maldives

M2 Presswire; February 15, 2005

WORLD BANK: Maldives needs US$304 million for tsunami recovery and reconstruction; ADB, UNDP, and the World Bank publish tsunami disaster needs assessment

The Maldives will need approximately US$304 million to effectively implement a recovery and reconstruction strategy, according to a preliminary tsunami disaster needs assessment released today by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the World Bank. The assessment was prepared in close cooperation with the Government of the Maldives and sets out clear guiding principles for the reconstruction strategy. It estimates total damages in the Maldives to be approximately US$470 million, which is close to 62 percent of GDP. Most of the losses were concentrated in housing and tourism, with education, fishing, and transport also heavily affected. About US$120 million of external financing will be required in the short term over the next six months. Macroeconomic Impact of the Tsunami:

The impact on the economy will be felt over the next 6 to 12 months. Most likely effects include:

-- Slowdown in real GDP growth to around 1% of GDP for 2005 (compared to a pre-tsunami forecast of 7.5%)

-- Rise in consumer prices of about 7%

-- Doubling of the current account deficit from an expected 12% of pre- tsunami GDP to 25% for 2005

-- Significant widening of the fiscal deficit to around 11% of GDP (assuming the Government implements planned fiscal measures)

The Maldives has enjoyed sustained economic growth, based on the highly successful development of tourism aimed at the upper end of the global tourism market. The fishing industry is also a mainstay of the economy. Over the past two decades, real GDP growth averaged over 8.5 percent per year, resulting in a tripling of per capita income to about US$2,400 in 2003.

In order to ensure that tsunami reconstruction resources are utilized properly and effectively, the Government has set up a special fund for the tsunami emergency and has asked donors to provide as much of their funding as possible through this mechanism. The purpose of the special fund is to ensure transparency and harmonization, eliminate duplication of effort, and reduce administrative overhead costs.

"One way to support the people of the Maldives is through the Adopt An Island initiative just launched by UNDP," said Moez Doraid, Acting United Nations Resident Coordinator. "This program will allow the private sector--from big businesses to individual people--to help some of the worst-affected areas. Adopt An Island will provide funds for the most immediate and urgent needs for safe and dependable shelter. Island adoptions will cover the cost of providing construction materials to rebuild communities. They will also create income-generating opportunities for people in those places where they are needed most." The assessment identified the following recommendations for the recovery and reconstruction strategy:

-- Maintain adequate liquidity in the atolls, as the Government is doing by providing cash payments to affected households. * Help the people in the atolls restore their livelihoods by financing the replacement of key implements, such as fishing nets and lights used to catch bait, and paying workers to clean up and begin reconstruction, at least initially.

-- Encourage the resumption of tourism activity by conveying a clear message to the rest of the world that damage was limited only to some islands; that key infrastructure, such as the airport, is safe and functioning normally; and that the impact of the tsunami was minor on most of resorts, which are open for business.

-- Ensure that the reconstruction effort is consistent with macroeconomic stability over the medium term, involving the maintenance of the fixed exchange rate, stable prices, and fiscal and debt sustainability.

A donors' consultative meeting for Maldives is planned for the beginning of March to discuss the needs assessment and help bolster external financial support.

CONTACT: Graham Dwyer, ADB in Manila Tel: +63 2 632 5253 e-mail:

Victor Arango, UNDP in New York Tel: +1 212 906 6127 e-mail:

Benjamin Crow, World Bank in Washington, D.C. Tel: +1 202

473 5105 e-mail:

Malaysia

Bernama The Malaysian National News Agency; February 13, 2005

IMPACT OF TSUNAMI ON ECOSYSTEM BEING MONITORED

SHAH ALAM, Feb 13 (Bernama) -- The tidal waves or tsunami may have an impact on the marine ecosystem and may affect fish landings and the income of Malaysian fishermen in future, according to a lecturer from Universiti Industri Selangor (Unisel). Prof Madya Dr Mohd Khusairi Mohd Rajuddin, from Unisel's Faculty of Science and Education, said the tsunami could have caused the structure of the seabed in mangrove swamps and the coral reefs to change in terms of their physical size and biology. If the tsunami had caused a change in the salinity level of the sea, the garoupa fish and tiger prawns would find it difficult to adapt to such a change, he said. "When the habitat is disturbed and polluted, certain species of marine life may die," he said here today. Dr Mohd Khusairi had previously carried out research on marine ecology for the Fisheries Research Institute, Fisheries Department from 1983 to 1999. Together with another lecturer from the same faculty, Prof Mohd Nasir Saadon, he had gone to Kuala Sungai Baru, Perlis and Kota Kuala Muda, Kedah last month to observe the livelihood of the fishermen whose earnings had been affected following the destruction caused by the tsunami. It is estimated that about 6,900 hectares of mangrove swamps are found in Perlis, Kedah, Penang and Perak. Dr Mohd Khusairi said he was made to understand that 25,000 hectares of mangrove swamps in Sumatra had been destroyed and 30 per cent of the 97,000 hectares of coral reefs in the Indonesian archipelago were destroyed by the tsunami that struck on Dec 26. However, he had no data on the destruction to mangrove swamps and coral reefs in Malaysia. He suggested that the authorities carried out a study and monitor the trend of fish landings and fishermen's incomes for a period of two or three years beginning immediately. Normally, tiger prawn breeders in the areas affected by the tsunami would harvest 240,000 tons of prawns a year while fishermen would catch 86,000 tons of garoupas a year. "We don't know how much they can catch within the next two years. We are worried that their incomes may be reduced in future," he said. Dr Mohd Khusairi said that besides financial and physical assistance, the authorities should monitor the fishermen's lives so that they could recover from the trauma caused by the catastrophe and lead a normal life like they used to before the tragedy struck. He said it would take between two and five years before the fishermen could return to their normal life. Based on reports, about 6,000 fishermen from Kedah, Penang, Perlis, Perak and Selangor were affected by the tsunami.

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka tsunami situation report ; 14 Feb 2005

Developments over the past 24hrs, including priority needs and constraints, and the major actions that have taken place, etc:

The Observer; February 13, 2005

Tsunami victims still wait for aid: Supplies to stricken Sri Lankans are blocked by bungling and corruption

THOUSANDS of tsunami victims in Sri Lanka are still without aid, despite the biggest global humanitarian effort ever launched following a natural disaster. Tens of thousands more are receiving patchy assistance, because of government bureaucracy and corruption, poor co-ordination between aid agencies and inappropriate, rather than insufficient, supplies sent from the West. Nearly seven weeks after the tidal wave that destroyed homes, livelihoods and killed more than 30,000 in the south Asian state, The Observer found people who had yet to receive help just 15 miles south of Colombo, the Sri Lankan capital. Sirimal Rohita, a carpenter whose house and workshop was destroyed, was one of these. Though authorities insist such cases are rare, in the city of Galle harassed administrators admitted to The Observer that only a quarter of those eligible for the Rs15,000 (£80) compensation for the death of a relative had received it. Some payments were held up by bureaucracy - a death certificate is essential for a claim but difficult to obtain. Other delays were caused by a lack of officials. 'There are only six or seven officers trying to run help for 125,000 people in my district,' said W Weerakoon, additional secretary in Galle. Lat est statistics from Galle district show that just 15,000 of the 26,000 people owed a monthly post-tsunami hardship payment of Rs5,000 (£28) had been paid, and only two-thirds of the 25,000 households promised cooking utensils had got them. In many other areas it is worse. There are fears that some of the aid money is being diverted by corrupt officials. In Balapitiya, north of Galle, two officials have been suspended over accusations of aid misuse. Others are being investigated for demanding bribes for death certificates. Last week's newspapers were full of a scandal involving a bank and relief cash. Millions of pounds have flown into Sri Lankan government coffers to fund the effort. Aid agencies stress that after early chaos, co-ordination has improved and surveys of needs carried out. In the north-east, some camps are being run by the Tamil Tigers, the government and international NGOs with an unprecedented degree of co-operation, despite political strains. Tented camps have sprung up all along the coast, supplied by Western charities. Earthmoving equipment has also speeded the clear-up. But a six-hour drive south of Colombo revealed pockets of dire need, with hundreds of people packed into single temples, relying on intermittent hand-outs. Few houses have been rebuilt with thousands awaiting relocation by the government.

India

Tsunami – South India NGO Coordination Cell;16 February 2005

Report on the Impacts of the Tsunami on Coastal Fishery: Chennai to Tuticorin district

• Fishing activity is slowly regaining in Tuticorin to the Gulf of Mannar areas but subsequent response to fishing activity is less.
• The topography of the sea bed has been altered due to the rapid disposal and accumulation of sediment deposition at various areas.
• Fish migration has occurred with exotic fish migrating to inshore waters and estuaries.
• The quality of fish appears to be safe for human consumption, as before the tsunami.
• Fishing grounds have been altered and no fishes are found to occur in the usual fishing grounds.
• Fishing activity is now moving towards deeper areas rather than the shallower areas.
• Fishing activity in Tuticorin is confined to mechanized fishing boats..
• Trawling by mechanised boats has resulted in much less catch (ie.) 200-300 Kgs contrary to the catch of 2000 Kgs before the tsunami.
• Due to upwelling at various areas, there is a sudden increase in the nutrient load in the sea, resulting in high phytoplankton content.
• Areas of fresh water/canals/creeks have increased salinity due to the rapid discharge of seawater into the water source.
• The polluted floors of water-ways are being covered with a fine sediment deposit making the water-ways much cleaner/tidier than before.
• Fishermen are not going out on the sea at present, for various reasons.

Refer to “2.16.05 - Tsunami impact on coastal fisheries.doc” (attached)

Christian Science Monitor; February 03, 2005

After tsunami, fishermen enter a new sea - For many people along India's Tamil Nadu coast, stepping into a boat is key to getting back on their feet.

According to P. Ravichandran, director of the Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture in Madras high concentrations of disinfectants can kill fish. But, in his view, any disinfectant would have become very diluted in the ocean. Mr. Ravichandran doesn't rule out changes in the sea. "If the bottom has changed, maybe then the fish have shifted and recolonized. They may come back after things settle."

The Indian Express Online Media Ltd.; February 15, 2005

TSUNAMI: SWAMINATHAN REPORT PULLS UP STATES

Calling the tsunami a "wake-up'' call, the M.S. Swaminathan committee report has suggested, among other things, developing bio-shields along the coastline to safeguard it and the people living nearby. The panel has also pulled up the states for weak implementation of the existing guidelines and failure to come up with a separate coastal zone management plan. "The existing 500-m rule (banning construction within 500 m) should remain. The states and the Centre have to work in greater cooperation,'' said Prof M.S. Swaminathan after submitting the report to Environment Minister A. Raja. He added that the committee has also suggested a vulnerability atlas for the entire country. Among the recommendations is the coastal zone should include an area (12 nautical miles) starting from its sea bed. It laid emphasis on demarcation of the vulnerability line all along the coastal areas and suggested developmental activities to be regulated on the seaward side of the vulnerability line. Swaminathan said the Ministry doesn't even have an office for coastal zone management and the committee has recommended a small unit. "The severe loss of life and livelihood as well as property caused by the tsunami teaches us that short-term commercial interests should not be allowed to undermine the ecological security of our coastal areas, '' the report adds. It says that "keeping in view the impact of the tsunami on the Kalpakkam atomic power plant, it would be advisable if such nuclear power plants are located away from the coast.''

Kasturi & Sons Ltd (KSL); February 16, 2005

THEY ARE STILL LIKE FISH OUT OF WATER

A majority of the 1.5 lakh fishing families left without livelihood are yet to put out to sea. But a small percentage, who suffered minimum damage to boats or catamarans, is back in business - but with a low profile. This situation is the result of a spat between the Central and State Governments over the "livelihood package". The loan-cum-subsidy scheme unveiled by the Centre has caused resentment among a section of the fishermen, especially those who have not lost their vessels. The problem has been compounded by the Pondicherry Government offering the livelihood package as full subsidy. Karaikal in the Union Territory is closer to Nagapattinam than it is to Pondicherry. The comparison hurts the fisherfolk in Nagapattinam district in particular. A spokesman for the fishermen's federation here says there will be no fishing for at least four months a year. "How can a fisherman pay back the loan and also the insurance premium, which alone may come to Rs. 1,000 or even more a month, depending on the value of the vessel? As of now, 90 per cent of the fishing vessels are not insured."

The Press Trust of India; February 15, 2005 Tuesday

New villages slowly coming up in tsunami-hit Car Nicobar

Schools, dispensaries, administrative buildings, housing complexes lie shattered. Huge tanks, used to store oil at the IAF airbase swept away by the tsunami lie in a coconut grove nearly 500 meters away. A truck atop a shattered building gives one the dimension of destruction the killer waves brought to the island.

Massive relief operation was launched immediately after the islands were hit by nature's fury. Nearly 12,000 rescuers, including personnel from the army, police and paramilitary forces launched relief and rehabilitation process on the islands that will cost the state exchequer Rs 30 billion. "Our target is to shift all people from relief camps to temporary shelters by April 15 before the onset of monsoon," he said. Nearly 10,000 temporary shelters will be built by then and construction of houses will be speeded up where monsoon set in early, Patil said. New villages are planned at an elevated place about 10 meters above the MSL, he said adding most of the alternate sites are wooded and are being cleared. The government has lined up 1,529 tonnes of food material, 1,161 tonnes water, over 500 generator sets, and 12,500 tents and tarpaulin shelters besides 12,000 tonnes of construction material for relief and rehabilitation of the Andaman archipelago.

HT Media Ltd.; February 14, 2005 Monday 6:58 AM EST

CREATION OF NATIONAL BOARD FOR SUSTAINABLE COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT FOR POLICY GUIDANCE RECOMMENDED