After the Tsunami: Relief and Rehabilitation in Sri Lanka

The book describes the extent of damage caused by the tsunami catastrophe of December 26, 2004, and provides valuable information about the destruction of the physical and human environments as well as developing strategies applied for sustainable rebuilding and a return to an adequate livelihood for tsunami-affected people. Relief and rehabilitation measures are described for public life and the peoples’ physical and social lives, including housing, fishing, tourism, groundwater, environment, agriculture, vegetation and soil. Particular attention is paid towards helping the affected people to overcome their mental trauma and returning to their normal lives. The book aims to deliver sufficient insights transferable to other countries in the developing world in case of natural disaster and vis-?-vis applying strategies for sustainable relief and rehabilitation. The book contains 15 scientific papers delivered at a Workshop held in Colombo, Sri Lanka, in October 2005, conducted by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), Delhi Office.