On 26 December 2004, the tsunami wiped away homes, schools, and health facilities, demolished roads, bridges and power lines; irrevocably altering the lives of millions of people. Schools were used as camps to house all those who were displaced. People were left with nothing.

UNICEF and its partners are focusing on rebuilding the affected areas ‘back better.’ We are looking beyond the brick and mortar to the psychological well-being of children, long-term educational needs and development.

UNICEF has rebuilt old schools that, even before the tsunami, lacked equipment, supplies and even toilets for the children, and turned them into child-friendly schools with computer labs, more teachers and more space. Additionally, UNICEF Sri Lanka, provided school supplies for 200,000 children, 50,000 desks and chairs, as well as 200 temporary school shelters.

After-school activities organized by UNICEF and local non-governmental organizations for Tamil, Muslim and Singhalese children affected by the 2004 tsunami include gathering children together for games, drama, singing and sports. This programme helps children confront and overcome the stress they faced, and serves as a tool for longer-term peace-building by providing a unique opportunity to learn about each other’s cultures and lives.

However some of the areas hit hardest by the Tsunami are once again riddled with conflict and strife. After a three year ceasefire between the Government of Sri Lanka and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), the people now face more conflict. Tens of thousands of families are now being displaced in Northern and Eastern Sri Lanka. This is becoming a real crisis and threatens to make the children, who are still recovering from the Tsunami, even more vulnerable.

For further information, please contact: Gordon Weiss, Press Officer, Emergencies, UNICEF New York: Tel + (212) 326 7426, gweiss@unicef.org