Tsunami Response

ADB's Tsunami Assistance

ADB responded to the tsunami crisis by launching the largest grant program in its history. As of 30 June 2007, ADB's total approved assistance and cofinanced funds for tsunami-affected countries stood at US$892.035 million. Of this, $725.14 million, or 81%, is grant funding.

Indonesia

An ADB $291 million grant is financing the Earthquake and Tsunami Emergency Support Project (ETESP) to support disaster management, reconstruction and rehabilitation in affected areas of Aceh and North Sumatra. In addition, ADB has contributed a $10 million grant to the MultiDonor Fund for Aceh and Nias.

ADB's multi-sector tsunami assistance package in Indonesia covers agriculture, fisheries, irrigation, micro and small enterprise development, housing, water and sanitation, health, education, transport, power, spatial planning and environmental management, and fiduciary oversight (see video).

ADB has taken a community-driven approach to reconstruction and rehabilitation in the hardest hit tsunami-affected areas. In the reconstruction phase, the needs of the people in the area are carefully assessed before construction begins.

Fully integrating the community's needs into the rebuilding process takes time, but it leads to long-term, sustainable communities whose areas are not simply replaced, but rebuilt to a higher standard.

ADB has also taken a lead in working to ensure transparency in the fund distribution process. In July 2006, ADB approved a technical assistance grant to strengthen transparency, accountability and efficiency in tsunami recovery programs by helping affected countries exercise effective leadership over external assistance.

Read an overview of ADB’s tsunami work in Indonesia

To learn more about ADB’s work in Banda Aceh, see the video Aceh’s Road to Recovery, the feature story A New Beginning in Meunasah Tuah, and photos from the affected areas in Signs of Progress in Aceh.

India

ADB's $205 million loan and grant assistance package is aimed at restoring livelihoods and to rehabilitate and reconstruct damaged infrastructure in Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Read an overview of ADB’s tsunami work in India.

Sri Lanka

ADB's nearly $265 million grant assistance package is being used to reconstruct roads and railways, as well as restore livelihoods. Disbursement priority areas include housing reconstruction, microfinance for livelihood programs, and coastal protection. Read an overview of ADB’s tsunami work in Sri Lanka.

Maldives

ADB's tsunami grant assistance package of $21.85 million in grants and $1.8 million in loans is helping to restore infrastructure, including transport and power, as well as livelihoods, with help for agriculture and fisheries. Read an overview of ADB’s tsunami work in Maldives.

Thailand

A $2.2 million grant program is helping to develop a coastal management plan aimed at coral reefs and mangrove forests. Read feature and view the photo essay.