Tsunami victims still waiting for aid
TEXT OF STORY
MARK AUSTIN THOMAS: It’s been almost two years since the Asian tsunami struck. More than 200,000 people were killed, a half-million were left homeless. But figures released by the UN reveal only half the aid money pledged has reached the devastated region. From London, Stephen Beard reports.
STEPHEN BEARD: The biggest shortfall is in the money promised by governments. Spain said it would give $60 million to help the disaster victims. France pledged $79 million and China $300 million.
And yet, according to the UN, each of these countries has only coughed up about $1 million apiece.
The slow pace of reconstruction is another problem, even when there is money available.
Only one third of the half million people made homeless have been re-housed permanently says UN spokesman Milown Kothari
MILOWN KOTHARI: What these figures show is a glaring omission both in terms of setting a process in place and in terms of showing results on the ground.
The Red Cross admits that half the aid money it collected two years ago is still in the bank, but the group says it’s not simply a matter of going in and putting houses.
Reconstruction has been hampered by infrastructure and legal problems.
In London, this is Stephen Beard for Marketplace.
Stories You Might Like
There’s a lot happening in the world. Through it all, Marketplace is here for you.
You rely on Marketplace to break down the world’s events and tell you how it affects you in a fact-based, approachable way. We rely on your financial support to keep making that possible.
Your donation today powers the independent journalism that you rely on. For just $5/month, you can help sustain Marketplace so we can keep reporting on the things that matter to you.
