December 26, 2004.
A day we will never forget. Today, December 26, seven years ago in 2004, a massive Tsunami swept the South-Asian region. This Tsunami, a 9.0 magnitude earthquake is one of the worst tragedies of our time, and most likely the most destructive. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the energy released during this Tsunami is equal to 23,000 Hiroshima type atomic bombs.
Originating in the Indonesian Island of Sumatra, the earthquake radiated all throughout the South-Asian region, traveling as far as 3,000 miles. In total, 250, 000 people perished, and many communities were completely wiped out. Millions lost their homes, livelihoods, and many are still missing.
Tamils were greatly affected by this tragedy; many coastal islands and communities in Tamileelam (the northern and eastern regions of Sri-Lanka) inhabited by Tamils were swept away. Many of those killed were children, who could not resist the strong force of the oceanic waves. Many families were completely shattered and broken away by this tragedy. Wives lost husbands. Children lost parents. Sisters lost brothers. Every family was affected. For a people who struggled already greatly in war, the Tsunami only aggravated the struggles.
Furthermore, there has been a great inequality in disparity in the aid, rehabilitation and rebuilding efforts post-Tsunami in Sri-Lanka. Despite the fact that the Northeast (occupied mainly by Tamils) was destroyed the greatest in the Tsunami, rehabilitation and aid was directed in the South (dominated by the Sinhalese) by the Sri-Lankan Government. Foods, and other goods like fuel and building materials were also further restricted from entering the Northeast regions, which caused further devastation and deaths.
Let’s remember the victims, and keep them in our prayers and thoughts.
Bibliography.
National Geographic. (January 7, 2005). “The Deadliest Tsunami in History?” Retrieved from http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2004/12/1227_041226_tsunami_2.html
Sangam. (December 26, 2007). “Tamils left out of Sri-Lanka’s Rehab Plans.” Retrieved from http://www.sangam.org/2007/12/Tsunami_Rehab.php?uid=2692
Tags: 2004, Remembrance, Speak Out, Tamils, Tsunami
