Activities, Reports and Projects
Activities in the Immediate Aftermath of the Tsunami
Our first priority must be to the health and safety of the people but, once basic needs are met, then rebuilding lives and the natural resources on which those lives depended is a top priority. This is where we come in. As reports of the devastating losses to life, property and natural resources began pouring in, we identified the areas of greatest need and the places where we could do the most good for the community and the adjacent reefs. We received valuable information and detailed reports from scientists and others in the area and were able to respond to most of the initial requests for help that we received. In February 2005, Dr. Deborah Brosnan made the first visit to the tsunami devasted areas of Thailand, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives to meet and begin working with local scientists and people in the community, to bring necessary equipment and supplies, to assess the status of the reefs and ecosystems, to assist in cleanup, and to evaluate what could be done. At that time, we were able to send the first of several sets of volunteers to help with debris cleanup and assessment projects. Scientists, volunteers and funders stepped up to help – people as far away from us as Australia heard of our work and sent funds to assist. A big THANK YOU to all of you.
Personal Letter from Dr. Deborah Brosnan.
Reef Expert Gives Back to Asia — reprinted from The Oregonian, Portland, Oregon, February 14, 2005 (PDF ; 84 KB).
Report from Thailand — summary of a report from Dr. Sakanan Plathong, Lecturer for Marine Ecology, Prince of Songkla University, Thailand, with a link to the full report in PDF format. February 2005.
Report from Sri Lanka — a summary of a report from Dr. Jerker Tamelander, IUCN, Sri Lanka, with a link to the full report in PDF format. January 2005.
After the Tsunami: Restoring Coral Reefs and Rebuilding Communities in SE Asia — an assessment of coral reef damage and recommendations for restoration to rebuild the marine environment and communities devastated by the tsunami, by Dr. Deborah Brosnan. August 2005 (PDF; 437 KB).
Tsunami Reef Action Fund: Providing Ecological and Economic Relief to Tsunami-devastated SE Asia Communities — report of assessment and activities, March update (PDF; 270 KB).
Personal blog of visit by Dr. Deborah Brosnan (March 2005).
Activities One to Six Months After the Tsunami
By March 2005, we were supporting several projects in Thailand and Sri Lanka, working with several individuals, scientists, and organizations (such as the Center for Conservation Research Sri Lanka, IUCN Sri Lanka, and Phi Phi Tsunami Dive Camp in Thailand). We were teamed with PADI Project AWARE to help dive operators and divers who had lost income. TRAF’s support consisted of scientific and economic support. We provided funds and equipment to provide reef cleanup jobs for local people who had lost their income in the tsunami and for assessment and restoration work. We provided scientific expertise and scientists to assist in activities and planning. We connected volulnteer divers from around the world to projects where their help was needed. Scientists from SEI’s conservation science network stepped up to help, divers joined in, and soon work was in full swing.
Key Efforts (as of May 2005).
Phi Phi Island Reef Debris Clean Up & Restoration (includes link to photos). 40 tons of debris taken off the reefs in four weeks.
April 2005 Thailand Tsunami Reef Relief Trip — a report of seafan restoration in the Similan Islands by Dwayne Meadows and Caroline Sachs (PDF; 18 KB).
Assessment of Tsunami Impact on Natural-Eco Systems of Yala National Park, Sri Lanka and Monitoring Response of Eco-Systems — summary of damage in Yala National Park from Prithiviraj Fernando of the Centre for Conservation and Research (CCR) (PDF; 96 KB).
Interim reports of cleanup activities in Hikkaduwa, Unawatuna, and Trincomalee, from Marten Meynell of IUCN:
- Report of the Reef Clean-up at Hikkaduwa National Park, Sunday 3rd April 2005 (PDF; 300 KB).
- Report of the Reef and Beach Clean-up at Unawatuna Bay, Saturday 30th April, Sunday 1st May 2005 (PDF; 270 KB).
- Report of the Marine Clean-up at Trincomalee, Saturday 14th & Sunday 15th May 2005 (PDF; 320 KB).
See the video, Re-building Reefs, an interview with Dr. Brosnan (11 MB).
Activities Six Months to One Year After the Tsunami
By June, several projects were underway and in the following months we were able to help several individuals and organizations complete the first phase of their efforts. But other areas were so devastated by the tsunami that the work can only now just begin. In some places, the debris remains scattered on the sea bed and the reefs and beaches pose an ongoing threat to safety, tourism, and marine life. In July and August, Dr Brosnan returned to SE Asia to evaluate the status of the projects and to ascertain additional needs. While there, she met with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and with other organizations. She subsequently completed a report on the effects of the tsunami on the coral reefs and presented recommendations for future actions. Back in the U.S., she has worked with U.S. Congressmen to provide information and to advise on the scientific and humanitarian efforts. Together with several leading aquaria in the U.S., we are raising awareness through a public lecture series, which describes the impacts of the tsunami and the importance of coral reefs and natural ecosystems in our lives. The value of ecosystems was brought home to us in the U.S. when three hurricanes struck the southern states in two months. There were many similarities to the SE Asia tsunami and they are outlined below. We will continue to monitor and report on similar natural disasters.
After the Tsunami: Restoring Coral Reefs and Rebuilding Communities in SE Asia, by Dr. Deborah Brosnan, updated in November, 2005 (PDF; 290 KB).
Phi Phi Tsunami Dive Camp — prepared by Andrew Hewett, project coordinator, dated 18 th June, 2005 (PDF; 51 KB).
Final Report of the Post-Tsunami Reef and Beach Clean-Up Programme in Sri Lanka — from Marten Meynell (PDF; 980 KB).
Key Efforts (as of May 2005).
Aquarium Talks — dates and places for "Struggle to Survive: Saving Coral Reefs After the Tsunami," presented by Dr. Brosnan.
Nature and the Beast: Hurricanes and Tsunamis Reveal Our True Dependence on Natural Resources — on Dr. Brosnan's blog.
Today and Tomorrow
As the first anniversary draws near, our thoughts turn again to the terrible loss and sadness of the SE Asia tsunami. But we are also humbled by the tremendous response of individuals and communities who work with such energy, drive, and commitment to rebuilding their communities and their natural resources. There is much work to be done. While we have been able to help and initiate many projects, there are still vast areas that have not yet begun to recover or get the help that they need. TRAF continues to receive requests from people and organizations who lost everything and need just a little help to get on their feet. They ask for funds and scientific help to assess their fishing and tourism areas. They ask us how can they remove debris, what should be their priorities, and how to go about restoration for the future. We want to continue to help them. We will as much as our resources allow us. R esources are limited but with your help we will be able to do more. Please support this effort. A little goes a long way in this region, and 100% of your contribution goes directly to the people in SE Asia to restore reefs and livelihoods.
Site-specific and Immediate Actions: Andaman Coast, Thailand, from Phi Phi
to
the Khao Lak Area, Including Coasts and Offshore — recommendations
for Thailand, by Dr. Deborah Brosnan, November 2005 (PDF; 30 KB).
Sri Lanka: The Coral Reefs and Communities — recommendations for Sir Lanka, by Dr. Deborah Brosnan (PDF; 14 KB).
If Nature Bats Last, Are We On Her Team? — a commentary on natural disasters by Dr. Deborah Brosnan.
The S.E. Asia Tsunami: People and their Environment: Key Lessons and Recommendations for Post-Tsunami Recovery and in the Aftermath of Global Natural Disasters — report presented to the United Nations Office of the Special Envoy for Tsunami Recovery by Dr. Deborah Brosnan, August 2006.
Fall 2006. Phi Phi Dive Camp's Project Coordinator Andrew Hewett sends the
latest report on this amazing effort, which has grown from removing tsunami
debris from reefs to promoting reef restoration, monitoring and sustainable
tourism.
For More Information
If you want to be included on TRAF updates, receive information on disasters and ecosystems, and see any reports and podcasts by Dr. Deborah Brosnan directly from the disaster area, please contact us.
Read more about how you can help.
