Humanitarian response to the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake

• Federal Government — After committing and distributing to international aid an initial A$10 million pledge (US$7.7 million), the government of Australia announced on 29 and 31 December that two additional disbursements of A$25 million (US$18.1 million) each would be committed:[74] A$10 million to aid organizations, A$10 million to Indonesia, and A$5 million (US$3.6 million) to Sri Lanka. Foreign Affairs Minister Alexander Downer indicated Australia would offer further aid as needed. On 5 January in Jakarta, Prime Minister John Howard announced an Australian aid package of A$1 billion[75] for Indonesia (US$766.89M), significantly exceeding the half billion expected.[76] The bilateral aid package[77] consists equally of grant assistance and highly concessional funding. On 11 January, A$500,000 aid was announced for the Seychelles, taking total federal government monetary assistance to A$1,060,500,000. The World Bank criticized Australia for not being transparently enough and said that only a small part of the money was really for the victims[78]
• State governments — The governments of the Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, the Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia, Victoria and Western Australia all pledged monetary assistance to a combined total of A$17.45 million (US$13.6 million).
• Military/Professional — As part of Australia's aid-assistance, the Australian Defence Force (ADF) worked extensively in the region, alongside American forces. Upwards on 900 unarmed personnel worked in Indonesia, including 15 air-traffic controllers managing the massive aid effort in Aceh. Eight Royal Australian Air Force C-130 Hercules assisted in the massive clean-up in Indonesia. Four Hercules moved stores within Indonesia, while another four planes established an air bridge to move material and personnel from Australia. At the outbreak of the disaster, three were immediately dispatched, laden with essentials such as medical supplies, water purification units, blankets and bottled water. Also, a Royal Australian Navy amphibious transport ship HMAS Kanimbla was dispatched from Sydney on New Year's Eve, to arrive in Indonesia on 13 January, with two H-3 Sea King helicopters on board. Furthermore, four Australian Army UH-1 Iroquois helicopters worked in Aceh, where the ADF established a field hospital and water plant. The Australian Federal Police (AFP) also had teams on the ground, particularly in Thailand, including body identification teams. Teams of medical and emergency professionals were sent with the call going out for volunteers ready and willing to fly to the affected areas to further assist with the relief and rebuilding operation. In response to a request from the Maldivian Government, Australia sent ecological experts to repair coral reefs – the life-blood of Maldivian tourism – and teachers to restore schooling. The estimated cost of this additional support is above A$60 million (US$46.5M), and was being managed by Emergency Management Australia (EMA).
• Public/Corporate — Australia's three major commercial television networks, the Seven Network, the Nine Network and Network Ten took the unprecedented step of pooling resources to organise a special concert telethon which aired on 8 January. Simultaneously broadcast on all three networks and in most capitals on the Triple M radio network, the telethon was an extraordinary display of solidarity and co-operation in the usually fiercely competitive commercial television and radio markets (see Australia Unites: Reach Out To Asia). As of the end of the broadcast, the figure raised/pledged was A$15,198,349.53, however phone lines remained open and the final tally totalled at over A$20 million. The overall corporate response has been criticised as inadequate, particularly considering bumper profits. The Australian public raised over at least A$190 million (US$143.37 million). As a sign of respect to the victims of the disaster, New Year's Eve celebrations around the country were either toned down or cancelled. Most of those celebrations that did proceed organised collections for charities in an attempt to avoid criticism. Australia's largest New Year's celebration, in Sydney, alone raised over A$1.1 million for the cause.[79]

Hutchison Whampoa Limited and Li Ka Shing Foundation of Hong Kong announced on 28 December 2004 that they would donate HKD 24 million (US$3.08 million) for the relief fund. Performer Karen Joy Morris (aka. Karen Man Wai Mok) pledged to donate HKD 200 thousand (Ming Pao). Performers of EEG also pledged to donate a total sum of HKD 630 thousand. Sir Run Run Shaw has donated HKD 10 m.

Hong Kong Jockey Club donated HKD 10 million, and HKD 1 for each dollar it received from donors (target at a minimum HKD 10 m). MTR donated HKD 0.5 for each passenger trip on 2 January 2005, with a total sum at HKD 1 m. KCR donated all the fares collected in the four-hour extension of train services on 1 January 2005.

Hong Kong Red Cross collected HKD 100 m (global target US$46 m / HKD 360 m). MSF stopped collected donations for the tsunami, and requested donors to donate to its other programmes. World Vision Hong Kong has collected HKD 50 m.

A variety show TV programme on TVB and RTHK on 2 January 2005 collected HKD 40 million (HKET).

Various NGOs, companies and individuals set off to the affected countries to offer assistance.

The government of Hong Kong sent 120 personnel to help Hong Kong residents and search for missing people. Police and medical teams stood-by to offer assistance.

Update: At 3 December 2005, Red Cross Hong Kong has already collected HK$620M.[45]

• Government of India — The federal government pledged INR 1 billion (US$23 million) to Sri Lanka and Maldives in addition to warships and aircraft to distribute relief supplies. A federal budgetary allocation of INR 7 billion (US$160 million) was earmarked for immediate distribution to affected Indian provinces.
• Military — As part of India's rescue and aid-assistance,[81] the Indian Navy and the Indian Coast Guard deployed 32 Naval ships, seven aircraft and 20 helicopter in the Indian Ocean region. This was the part of various operations like Operation Madad (in Indian states of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu coasts), Operation Sea Waves (in Indian territory of Andaman & Nicobar Islands), 'Operation Castor' (in Maldives), 'Operation Rainbow' (on Sri Lanka) and 'Operation Gambhir' (in Indonesia).[82] Also an Indian Naval group was able to start the rescue operations in neighbouring countries within 12 hours from the time of the tsunami and the first foreign navy to reach them.[83]
• Public — The citizens of India and various NGOs actively participated in providing relief materials and charity to the tsunami-stricken people.

Japan, which is the world's second-largest donor of Official Development Assistance (known as ODA), also dispatched Japan Self-Defense Forces vessels off Northern Sumatra to supply aid. Land, Air, and Maritime Forces were already ordered preparation.

• Government — The New Zealand government announced it will donate NZD10 million (US$7.2 million). On 18 January, the New Zealand Government announced an increase in aid to a total of NZD68 million (US$47.2 million), including its initial NZD10 million commitment. The government's response includes NZD20 million (A$18.4 million) for United Nations relief efforts, NZD20 million (A$18.4 million) for work in Aceh and other parts of Sumatra through a bilateral aid program in Indonesia and a NZD19 million (A$17.5 million) dollar-for-dollar matching of public donations by New Zealanders.
• Military — Also, a Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) C-130 Hercules, working in unison with the Royal Australian Air Force, was sent for evacuation and transport of relief supplies. New Zealand also sent an RNZAF 757 aircraft to the Thai city of Phuket with a specialist victim identification team on board. The 38-year-old aircraft was plagued with severe technical difficulties, and on several occasions was forced to halt aid efforts.
• Public — The New Zealand government also announced that it would match, dollar for dollar, the amount pledged by its citizens to various charities. As of 18 January 2005, this equated to a further NZD 19 million.[86]

• Government of Pakistan has announced a PKR 10 million (US$0.2 million) relief package for the earthquake victims of Sri Lanka. This consisted of goods such as tents, medicines, drinking water and food items.
• Military Pakistan planned to send 500 military personnel in medical and engineering teams to Indonesia and Sri Lanka.
  • Aeroplanes2 C-130 aeroplanes with relief goods and 250 doctors and engineers left for Indonesia and Sri Lanka each.[87] Six more C-130 would fly to Indonesia in a week to help in the relief work, and two Seaking helicopters onboard PNS (Pakistan Navy Ship) Moawin were in Sri Lanka to provide logistics support.[88]
  • Navy ships Ships Khyber and Mua'awan were sent to Sri Lanka. On board, these ships had three helicopters, a marine Expeditionary Force, doctors, and paramedics. Besides, relief goods – medicines, medical equipment, food supplies, tents, blankets- were sent in huge quantities. Pakistan Navy ships, Tariq and Nasr, on a good will visit to the Maldives, saved 367 foreign tourists, representing 17 nationalities conducted aerial surveys to judge the extent of damage, distributed food and medicines, and provided medical assistance.[89] Pakistan Navy Task Force arrived at Colombo port to provide humanitarian assistance and relief goods to the government of Sri Lanka. An ISPR (Navy) statement here on Tuesday named the commander of the Task Force as Commodore Ehsan Saeed and it comprised Pakistan Navy ship Moawin, a Logistic support ship having two Seaking helicopters onboard and PNS Khaibar, a guided missile destroyer carrying one Aloutte helicopter. On arrival, officials from Pakistan Mission at Colombo and local Navy officials of Sri Lanka received the ships.[88]

Upon arrival, a co-ordination meeting was held onboard PNS Moawin between Sri Lanka Navy officials, Pakistan High Commissioner to Sri Lanka and Pakistan Navy Mission Commander Commodore Ehsan Saeed to discuss the modus operandi of the relief operations.

The Singaporean humanitarian relief operation involved more than 1200 military and civil defence personnel – of whom 900 were in Aceh, Indonesia. The humanitarian assistance provided by its military, medical and rescue teams was estimated to cost SGD 20M. Singapore also offered to rebuild hospitals and clinics in Aceh.

The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) deployed three Endurance class landing platform dock ships – RSS Endurance, RSS Persistence and RSS Endeavour – off the coast of Meulaboh, one of the worst-hit areas where all road access was cut off. On board these ships were medical and engineering teams and volunteers with NGOs. The ships were also loaded with medical supplies and heavy equipment to help clear roads and debris. It also dispatched six Chinook helicopters and two Super Puma helicopters to Aceh, two Chinook helicopters and two Super Puma helicopters to Phuket, Thailand. C130s were also dispatched to ferry relief supplies to tsunami-hit areas.[91]

• Government — The Government of Vanuatu contributed VUV 5,000,000 (US$47,300) to relief efforts.
• Public — A benefit concert was held 8 January, which raised VUV 200,000 (US$1,800) for the Vanuatu Red Cross Society (both.[93]

Danish PM Anders Fogh Rasmussen said that Denmark would increase this amount if it was deemed necessary by the UN or emergency relief organisations.

The Greek people raised over €15M (US$19.9M) through private donations made during a TV charity marathon which included the auction of articles such as commemorative items from the Athens Olympic Games and the Euro 2004 event, as well as the fountain pen of the retiring President of the Hellenic Republic. The Greek Government added €1M (US$1.3M) to the initial amount.[96]

• Central Government The Spanish Cabinet approved an aid package totalling €54M (US$70.5M): €4M (US$5.2M) for immediate delivery, allocated to the relief shipments conducted by the Spanish Agency of International Cooperation (AECI) and NGOs; and €50M Development Aid Fund (FAD) loan, with favourable terms to include long periods of repayment and low interest, aimed to support the reconstruction efforts in all countries affected by the quake. Two cargo planes with humanitarian aid took off on 28 December to Sri Lanka and another three, of the AECI and the Red Cross, were dispatched on 31 December to Sumatra in Indonesia and Thailand. The Government also announced a debt moratorium for affected countries.
• Military On 8 January Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero announced the immediate deployment of a military force to assist in humanitarian tasks, comprising 650 troops, 5 planes with humanitarian aid, 2 helicopters and a hospital-ship. The military mission was to last two months, and would focus on Sumatra and expected cost was €6.5M.
• Regional and local Governments Several Governments of the Autonomous communities approved their particular aid packages for urgent delivery: Galicia (€500,000), Madrid (€300,000), Basque Country, (€150,000), Andalusia (€150,000), Land of Valencia (€150,000), Balearic Islands (€150,000), Castile-La Mancha (€140,000), Catalonia (€130,000) and La Rioja (€66,000). The donations of regional governments and local councils amounted to €2M.

• Government — The British government announced an increase in its aid to £75M on 10 January 2005, up from the £50M (US$96M) pledged on 30 December 2004, and the initial pledge of £15M of aid in the early stages. The government also promised to match the public donation. As president of the G8, the British government and then-Chancellor Gordon Brown pushed for the suspension of debt repayments to the industrialised nations.
  • Military — The government has also sent the Royal Fleet Auxiliary ship RFA Diligence, the Royal Navy frigate HMS Chatham with Lynx helicopters to move supplies, and a RAF C-17 Globemaster III and a Tristar strategic airlifter.
• Public — By the end of 6 January 2005 the total from British citizens stood at £100M (US$190M)[111] who responded by donating at a rate of up to £1M per hour in the first week. — On 26 February 2005, it was announced that the Disasters Emergency Committee (an umbrella organisation of 12 aid agencies) were closing their appeal after raising a total of £300M in the two months since the disaster struck. Other British charities raised a total of £50M.[66]
• Corporate/Notable — Large donations were also made by HM The Queen, and other notable celebrities and wealthy individuals. Half of the FTSE 100 companies announced sizeable donations of money/resources, with many other companies donating their services and resources at no cost.

• Federal Government: The Canadian government pledged, as of 10 January 2005, C$425M (US$344.96M),[31] an increase to the original figure of C$4M offered by the federal government, which had previously been revised to 40M and then to 80M, as an immediate contribution toward the aid effort and would also be providing blankets, water purification devices, and generators through the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA).
• The Canadian government would also match private donations received by 11 January 2005; according to CIDA, this represented an additional C$200M.[32]
  • The Canadian federal government also announced a debt moratorium for the countries most severely affected by the tsunami.[121] Also, Canada has announced it will send its DART (Disaster Assistance Response Team) to Ampara in Sri Lanka.[122]
• Provincial Governments: In addition to the federal funds, the provincial government of British Columbia has given C$8M (US$6.6M) to the Canadian Red Cross, the provincial governments of Ontario and Alberta have each pledged C$5M (US$4.1M), the provincial governments of Quebec, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Nova Scotia have each given C$100,000 (US$82,000), and the provincial governments of the Northwest Territories and Prince Edward Island have pledged C$25,000 and 20,000 respectively.
• Private Sector: Measuring the extent of individual and corporate philanthropy is more difficult, although the government estimated that donations to tsunami victims reached more than C$230M, with 200M of this available for matching. The federal government created incentives for private donations: it announced that it would match donations dollar-for-dollar and decided to bend the rules by allowing tsunami-related donations made before 11 January 2005 to be claimed on 2004 income-tax returns.
  • On 7 January CBC announced plans for a tsunami benefit concert on 13 January. Performers included Tom Cochrane, Blue Rodeo, Bryan Adams, Anne Murray, Rush, Molly Johnson, Oscar Peterson, Jann Arden, Barenaked Ladies, Bruce Cockburn and, in a special segment direct from her Las Vegas stage venue, Céline Dion. In addition, non-musical celebrities ranged from author Margaret Atwood to sports commentator Don Cherry to Bubbles of the Trailer Park Boys. Ron MacLean and Rick Mercer would serve as co-hosts.[123]
• Military Canada's Canadian Forces Disaster Assistance Response Team was sent to Sri Lanka.

• Federal Government: The United States government allocated US$400,000 (£200,000, €300,000) to India, Indonesia, the Maldives, Sri Lanka and Thailand

. Officials worked on a US$4M (£2M) aid package to help the Red Cross. Also, the United States dispatched disaster teams to aid the nations affected. The United States also prepared an initial US$15 million (£8M) aid package for affected nations. An additional US$20M (£11M) was offered as an emergency line of credit. On 31 December the aid was raised to US$350M (£190M, €260M).

• Military: The United States dispatched numerous C-5 Galaxy and C-17 Globemaster III strategic airlifters and ten C-130 Hercules tactical airlifters containing disaster supplies, nine P-3C Orion maritime patrol aircraft for search and rescue support, and several teams from the Departments of State and Defense to coordinate additional assistance. They used Utapao Naval Air Base in Thailand as their regional hub.
  • Additionally, the United States offered assistance from its troops stationed in Japan. USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier battle group, which was in port in Hong Kong, was dispatched to the coast of Sumatra to provide support to the Indonesian province of Aceh. In addition, an Expeditionary Strike Group led by USS Bonhomme Richard, scheduled for a port call in Guam, were dispatched to render assistance.
  • A total of 48 Navy and Marine Corps helicopters were involved. Each ship can produce around 90,000 US gallons (340,000 L) of fresh water per day. The US Navy also deployed the USNS Mercy, a 1,000-bed hospital ship (to be initially staffed to support 250 patient beds).[124] More than 12,600 Department of Defense personnel were involved in the relief effort, Operation Unified Assistance.[125]
• Private Sector: As of 10 January 2005 US based relief groups and non-governmental organisations reported having raised over US$515M. One charity said online pledges were arriving at a rate of US$100,000 an hour. Notable donors include American corporations; among them the Coca-Cola Company (US$10M), Dow Chemical Company (US$5M), The New York Stock Exchange Foundation (US$1M), Microsoft Corporation (US$3M), and Dell (US$3M initial, up to $5M through employee fundraising).
  • Pharmaceutical companies such as Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson and Bristol-Myers Squibb have provided medical supplies and drugs in addition to monetary assistance. Hollywood celebrities also donated, including Steven Spielberg (US$1.5M) and Sandra Bullock (US$1M). Private citizens, communities and schools also began fundraising efforts and contributed.
  • US President George W. Bush donated US$16,000 from his personal funds; the city of Fargo, North Dakota gave US$10,000 of taxpayer money; and motorists in Chattanooga, Tennessee were allowed to donate money to the relief effort in place of paying for traffic citations.[126] President Bush also called for a nationwide fundraising drive, headed by former US Presidents George H. W. Bush (his father) and Bill Clinton, and ordered American flags to fly at half-staff "as a mark of respect for the victims of the Indian Ocean Earthquake and the resulting Tsunamis".[127]