Natural disaster response happens on many levels. In the short-term, water, shelter and sanitation are of the utmost importance. In the long-term, recovery efforts must focus on the social structures that hold a community together.

USAID and Catholic Relief Services International (CRS) are helping Indians affected by the December 2004 tsunami. In the early stages of the disaster, USAID and CRS provided relief to the residents of Tamil Nadu. Together they:

• Provided 253 water tankers and 226 water storage containers to supply clean drinking water to more than 100,000 people
• Rehabilitated 754 water access points serving nearly 92,000 people
• Constructed 1,388 latrines
• Trained more than 25,000 people in daily health and hygiene practices that limit the spread of life-threatening diseases
• Established child care facilities and created recreational and educational activities for more than 5,000 children.

Meanwhile, USAID and CRS also are addressing the long-term needs of the tsunami-affected people. The tsunami severely shook – and in some cases broke – the social structures the people of Tamil Nadu relied upon. The loss of family members, community leaders and means of survival threatened the social fabric, resulting in the increased vulnerability of women and children. To combat vulnerability and to help residents return to normalcy, USAID and CRS:

• Improve access to vocational training and micro-financing for women and youth
• Introduce youths to new educational, alternative livelihood and personal growth opportunities
• Develop community-based systems that protect women and children from human traffickers.