Children and the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami: Evaluation of UNICEF's Response in Indonesia, Sri Lanka & the Maldives (2005-2008)

The international response to the Indian Ocean tsunami in Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Maldives—three of the hardest hit countries—was among the most ambitious and well-funded responses to a natural disaster. The emergency response and early recovery phases of UNICEF have been well documented through evaluation, but there has been no systematic evaluation of the recovery and early development phases. Focusing mainly on the sectors where UNICEF had extensive involvement—child protection; basic education; child and maternal health and nutrition; and water, sanitation and hygiene—this evaluation asks the following questions: In the spirit of building back better, what evidence is there indicating that the response (between 2005 and 2008) has resulted in better institutional capacities, systems, and services and contributed to the well-being and rights of children compared to the pre- tsunami situation? What role has been played by UNICEF programmes in achieving these results? What conclusions can be drawn regarding UNICEF programme performance? In addition, the evaluation draws lessons and recommendations for each sector and general lessons for recovery and transition programming.