Six hours after the tsunami struck the shores of India, World Vision relief teams swung into action, providing cooked food to over 1,000 families in Andhra Pradesh and Tamilnadu. In the weeks that followed, staff members reached more than 45,000 families in 11 regions with food, clothes, blankets, and medicine.

On February 1, World Vision completed the emergency phase of its response and began the recovery and rehabilitation phase. Over the next year, 23,500 people will receive household items and assistance finding shelter. World Vision has already built more than 1,000 temporary shelters in Cuddalore and Nagapattinam and plans to build nearly 3,000 more. Staff members will also continue to set up Child Friendly Spaces to help children overcome trauma and return to normalcy. Some fishermen who lost their livelihoods will receive boats and nets.

The tsunami claimed at least 10,000 lives in India. Another 6,000 people are missing or presumed dead. More than 500,000 people are now living in relief camps. The Indian government estimates economic loss at $1.2 billion US.

Last updated February 11, 2005.