Mental Health Task Force in Disaster: Jaffna District: Qualitative assessment of psychosocial issues following the tsunami

The tsunami which affected South Asia on 26th December 2004 is now known to have caused over
175,000 deaths worldwide and displaced millions of people from their homes and livelihoods. In the
Jaffna District, 1256 people lost their lives, and 1240 are still missing. 48,769 people were displaced as a
result of the disaster. As of 19th January 2005, 3758 families were still housed in welfare centres and 6651
families were housed with relatives and friends. In the affected areas family and community structures,
which are so vital for psychosocial wellbeing, have been drastically altered by the tsunami.

This document outlines the work carried out by the Mental Health Task Force in Disaster to date, our
initial impressions of the psychosocial needs of the community following the disaster, and our initial
recommendations about the likely ongoing needs of the community, in the short- and long-term.