UN plans interim tsunami warning system that could be running almost at once

31 January 2005

In a first step to prevent a repeat of the horrendous toll reaped a month ago by the devastating Indian Ocean tsunami, the United Nations is developing an interim early warning system for the region that could be operational almost immediately until a longer-term fully-fledged mechanism is put in place.

Indonesia welcomes more permanent UN presence in Aceh for tsunami relief

31 January 2005

The Indonesian military has welcomed a more permanent United Nations presence to reinforce aid coordination in the city of Calang in Aceh province, the area most devastated by last month’s tsunami, and infrastructure for a UN office is on the way there while several agencies already have staff on the ground.

Build up logistics, cooperation with private sector before next tsunami strikes – UN

28 January 2005

Briefing Member States on the key lessons learned from the United Nations-coordinated relief response to last month's devastating Indian Ocean tsunami, the world body's top relief official today stressed the need to build up logistics, communications and cooperation with the private sector before the next disaster strikes.

UN seeks $67 million for increased risk of malaria, dengue fever after tsunami

27 January 2005

Warning of an increased risk of deadly mosquito-borne diseases such as malaria and dengue fever sweeping across South Asian countries ravaged by last month’s tsunami, the United Nations health agency issued an urgent appeal today for $67 million to ward off a potentially severe public health crisis over the next six months.

One month into tsunami relief effort, UN faces even bigger rehabilitation task

26 January 2005

One month after a massive tsunami ravaged a dozen Indian Ocean countries on 26 December, the top United Nations emergency official today drew up a positive balance sheet of a "remarkably, singularly effective, swift and muscular" international response that saved tens of thousands of lives against tremendous odds.

Beyond huge tsunami death toll, Indonesia faces massive loss of livelihoods – UN

25 January 2005

Beyond the enormous loss of life, Indonesia – the country most ravaged by last month's devastating Indian Ocean tsunami – faces a massive loss of livelihoods with the destruction of about 40,000 hectares of rice paddies and 70 per cent of the fishing industry, according to the latest United Nations assessments.

In week 5 of tsunami disaster, UN help ranges from topography to AIDS

24 January 2005

As the relief effort for the Indian Ocean tsunami disaster moves into its fifth week, United Nations agencies are producing topographical satellite maps to aid rehabilitation while raising the alarm for extra vigilance to avoid the further spread of AIDS through people forced into the sex trade because they have lost their other means of livelihood.

UN conference adopts 10-year plan to tackle natural hazards

23 January 2005

The United Nations World Conference on Disaster Reduction – a long-planned event which gained added importance in the wake of the recent Indian Ocean tsunami – has concluded in Kobe, Japan, with countries pledging to reduce the risks facing millions of people who are exposed to natural calamities.

Tsunami's damage to Indonesia's environment pegged at $675 million, UN agency reports

21 January 2005

Beyond the horrific loss of human life, the recent Indian Ocean tsunami extensively damaged Indonesia's coastal environment, causing $675 million in losses to natural habitats and important ecosystem functions, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) reported today.

Heavy rains hamper UN tsunami relief in temporary camps in Indonesia

20 January 2005

Even as relief distribution improves in Indonesia, the region most ravaged by last month's Indian Ocean tsunami, a particularly heavy rainy season is worsening conditions in temporary settlements and hampering the delivery of supplies, especially by road, the United Nations reported today.

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