Myanmar, Somalia and Malaysia

Myanmar

Fishermen and their families were particularly badly affected by the tsunami, with many losing their boats and subsequently their livelihoods. The main goal of UNICEF’s work in tsunami-affected areas of Myanmar has been not only to help families resume the life they enjoyed before the tsunami but also to provide them with better quality social services.

Keeping children in education is an ongoing challenge as drop-out rates are historically high here. To get children back to school and to stay in education UNICEF has supported the rehabilitation of 215 schools and provided textbooks, exercise books and school bags for 73,240 students. Over 2,300 teachers have been trained to introduce child-centred learning approaches into schools.

To ensure people stay healthy UNICEF has also helped restore access to safe water for 18,000 people; over 3,300 have also benefited from improved latrines. UNICEF has supported malaria prevention and treatment activities and has provided almost 65,000 insecticide-treated bed-nets which will help keep 128,544 women and children free from malaria.

Somalia

Nearly 300 people on the coastline of north-eastern Somalia were killed and thousands were displaced by the tsunami. All of the tsunami-affected areas are extremely remote and difficult to access. Many of these communities have also experienced a sustained drought.

Due to the resources available through the tsunami funding, UNICEF has been able to introduce improvements to health care and water and sanitation facilities, not previously enjoyed by most of these communities. For example, almost 2,000 children have been reached with measles vaccinations and Vitamin A supplements to boost their immune systems. Thirteen new water points have been installed and another five have been repaired. These interventions mean that over 30,000 people now have access to clean safe water.

All interventions are being centred around education and schools. So far 7 semi-permanent schools have been built and another 14 are under construction, benefiting more that 12,000 students. An additional 340 children have enrolled in school since the tsunami.

Malaysia

The tsunami claimed 80 lives in Malaysia and left more than 8,000 people homeless and without livelihoods.

UNICEF has been supporting psychosocial training of community leaders, teachers, health workers and religious officials. Over 1,000 children and their families now have access to activities to promote emotional and mental health. Working with the Ministry of Education, UNICEF has brought life skills education to over 5,000 people, which focused on HIV/AIDS prevention and other protection issues that become a threat in emergency situations.