Some of the Asian countries had experienced the worst face of Sea waves in the name of Tsunami in December 26, 2004.
It has been almost two years completed of that tragic moment of Tsunami and after Tsunami situation in many Asian countries. People from all around the globe felt the pain of victims and donated helping aid for them. But the big question has arrived that where the money gone?
The BBC’s Newsnight program has claimed that a UN database says that nearly two years after donors pledged billions to help the victims only half the money has been spent. After two years, only one third of half a million homeless people have permanently provided a new house.
According to the BBC, some £3.43bn was collected worldwide but $3.3bn of that amount is still unspent.
The Red Cross had been given £1.13bn for aid work but which still has £670m of that in the bank. Only 8,000 houses have been completed in Indonesia, Sri Lanka and the Maldives but the target was 50,000.
The BBC says further that many foreign governments had given just a small amount to the worst hit areas while had promised for more.
There is a another side of the story, the smaller agencies such as Cafod had raised £27m and spent £21m for restoring livelihoods in a five-year relief and rehabilitation program.
Oxfam has provided safe water and sanitation to hundreds of thousands of survivors in the Asian countries in its four-year programs. Many problems are coming in rebuilding the new houses.
The leading 30 agencies are involved in the rehabilitation effort came together as the Tsunami Evaluation Coalition and commissioned. There are just not enough competent builders in poor countries.
Here are some data that shows that one can say the international response to the tsunami been a flop show-
# Half the money pledged globally is unspent with £1.69bn in bank accounts or has never been delivered
# Two-third of the half a million people still homeless.
# Aid agencies got small amount to do such a mammoth task
* Land ownership issues in Third World created problems in rebuilding the houses for victims.
On the other hand, the U.N. deputy envoy for the 2004 tsunami recovery, Eric Schwartz, has defended the efforts of aid workers in Tsunami affected regions.
He said that
I think one can be encouraged by the progress that has taken place without being ignorant or wanting to ignore the overwhelming challenges ahead.
