Photo Credit: Reuters/Yuriko Nakao
01/14/2005

Survivors of the devastating tsunami smile after receiving a box of biscuits in Panga, 60 miles south of Banda Aceh, Indonesia. Yet, effective relief is about much more than supplying food, equipment and personnel from abroad, as critical as these interventions may be.

Although these survivors received this box from outside nations, many survivors in Aceh, Indonesia have been mobilizing their own community-level support. Damaged communities in Aceh -- as well as Sri Lanka, India, Thailand, and other affected areas -- are showing great commitment and capacity to take responsibility for meeting immediate needs and starting the rebuilding process. Effective relief nurtures and builds on the resources within communities, and respecting and encouraging community management strengthens the survivors for the challenges ahead.