U.S. Disaster Field Team Returns Home, Relief Phase Winds Down

February 1, 2005

NEW DELHI - A four-member field team of American disaster relief experts returned to the U.S. this weekend, after nearly one month of on-the-ground response efforts aimed at providing life-saving assistance to Indians grappling with the aftermath of the December 26 tsunami. The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) was dispatched to hard hit Tamil Nadu just days after the event to facilitate disaster response led by local Indian authorities.

The team's departure signals a transition from emergency relief to rehabilitation efforts that help people return to normal life.

On behalf of the U.S. Government, USAID DART experts traveled through affected areas to assess physical and human needs in the wake of disaster, and coordinate with state and local governments about ways to support and enhance their efforts. Emergency relief by state and local authorities was rapid, dynamic and effective, according to the U.S. team.

Field team coordination with local government, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and community leadership shaped U.S.-supported tsunami response activities - which are now valued at $3.8 million (and likely to reach $4.2 million). USAID-funded interventions are highly focused, targeted at those most in need, and are delivered by local NGOs that work closely to avoid duplication.

Activities in the tsunami relief phase have focused on access to clean water and adequate sanitation in temporary shelters; constructing temporary shelters; reinvigorating livelihoods (particularly in the fishing industry and other trades); "cash-for-work" job creation to generate rapid income; and recreational child care to ease trauma and free up mothers to pursue income opportunities or re-start households.

USAID is the primary provider of humanitarian assistance on behalf of the U.S. government. As pledged by President Bush, the U.S. will continue to play a role in longer-term, sustainable rehabilitation programs in areas of South Asia most affected by the tsunami, including India. USAID is following closely the results of the joint donor assessment now underway along India's southern coast. The U.S. remains ready to support the Government of India's efforts by identifying activities where USAID has a comparative advantage. Interventions would reinforce India's existing disaster response resources, strong people-to-people ties between the two countries and continuing bilateral cooperation in disaster management technology and community preparedness.

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