One year after the Indian Ocean tsunami disaster

Days after an enormous tsunami battered parts of South East Asia on December 26, 2004, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) teams began working alongside national efforts to provide assistance to individuals in need of medical care, food, water, shelter and other basic necessities.

MSF offices sent over 200 volunteers who concentrated their efforts on hard-hit communities in Sri Lanka and Indonesia, with smaller scale activities in Thailand, Malaysia and India. Assessments completed by MSF teams across the tsunami region showed different needs in different countries, but it became quickly apparent that medical needs were limited.

The mobilisation of national emergency services and civil society saved the largest number of lives in the first crucial days. MSF saw its main role as identifying needs that were being overlooked.

In Thailand, MSF responded by helping Burmese migrant workers who found themselves in a particularly precarious position. In India, MSF offered psychological support. In Sri Lanka, where the damage was more extensive, MSF initially provided medical assistance and distributed relief goods.