The Maldives

The tsunami inundated every populated island of the Maldives, 200 in all. There were immense logistical challenges in order to reach people with supplies as the islands are spread across 800 nautical miles north to south. One third of the population’s livelihoods were destroyed and one tenth of the islands’ people were displaced. Yet recovery is underway and basic services are once again functional. It has been quite an achievement that 95 per cent of all children have been reached with vaccines and no child has died from a preventable illness. UNICEF is very grateful to all supporters whose donations assisted this work.

In the Maldives, no child lost both parents – most of the casualties were very young children and older members of the families. Whilst there has therefore been no need to undertake child care interventions, many children have been left traumatised by what they have experienced. Working with the government, UNICEF has run workshops which provide an opportunity for those affected to talk about their feelings and experiences. One 14-year-old girl told how her 2-year-old brother had watched whilst his grandmother was swept away and was now unable to sleep and was terrified of being left on his own. The girl’s mother was also extremely traumatised, leaving the 14-year-old as the main family carer. Through these sessions it becomes clear which families will need more assistance or counselling. Through the workshops parents are also educated about how to reduce the vulnerability of their children to abuse in the new, more crowded, living conditions.

The tsunami exacerbated the long-term problem of providing safe clean water in the Maldives. UNICEF is the lead agency for water and sanitation and has provided and supported the installation of desalination units which are benefiting 50,000 people. Over 37,000 people are benefiting from improved rain water harvesting systems.

Great steps have been made in education as well. To address the shortage of teachers after the tsunami 180 final year students were deployed as temporary teachers which enabled schools to reopen only two weeks after the scheduled start of the school year. School-in-a-box kits were delivered to 116 schools which benefited 28,636 children and 39 schools and 15 teacher centres were repaired, so children could return safely to school.