Lessons learned by New Zealand disaster relief and development NGOs from the humanitarian response to the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami

Abstract

On December 26, 2004, the Indian Ocean tsunami caused widespread devastation throughout the Indian Ocean. The disaster affected 12 countries, killing approximately 240,000 people. A further 50,000 are missing feared dead and 1 million people were displaced. The tragedy sparked an unprecedented international humanitarian response from a wide variety of humanitarian actors from 92 countries. Two months after the disaster occurred, the overall aid pledged from and through governments, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), business and private sources totalled US$6.28 billion. This research aims to identify the key lessons that have been drawn by New Zealand's (NZ) disaster relief and development NGOs as they responded to this disaster, to support improved more equitable and lasting responses to the world's humanitarian emergencies. Qualitative research was gathered through interviews conducted between 27 June and 21 July 2005, with representatives of thirteen key disaster relief and development NGOs, all members of the NGO Disaster Relief Forum (NDRF). The research suggests the scale of this response has affected the operations of the NZ disaster relief and development NGOs that launched public appeals and responded to this emergency. This emergency has provided momentum for current discussions regarding funding mechanisms for NGOs; processes of engagement with the NZ Government and the NZ media; optimising the roles and responsibilities of the Council for International Development and the NGO Disaster Relief Forum; and opportunities for greater collaboration within the NGO community. The research paper concludes that the collective lessons drawn from this unprecedented emergency response should be heeded as the roles, responsibilities and potential of these organisations are renegotiated, in order to stimulate more equitable and lasting responses to the increasing number of natural and manmade disasters.