Earthquake and Tsunami

Tsunami related documents for reference

Rapid Assessment Report of the Impact of the Tsunami In The Maldives

4. Key findings:

4.1: Extent of damages

Of the 199 inhabited islands considered in the assessment, 4 had all their buildings destroyed, 9 lost three quarters of their structures, 7 lost half, 31 lost a third, and 82 had no structural damage (no data was available from 66 islands). A total of 3,997 buildings were damaged in the Maldives and will need to either be reconstructed or repaired. The extent of this damage is currently being assessed to determine the levels and approaches for response in regard to housing.

The majority of islands were flooded to varying degrees immediately after the disaster. Available data showed that 69 islands were completely flooded, 17 were half flooded, and 27 and 24 suffered one third and minimal flooding respectively (no data was available on flooding from 62 islands).

The table below indicates the number of islands and the extent in which they were flooded or suffered structural damage (source data: post-disaster assessment; National Disaster Management Centre, Male’).

Using the above information, and looking at areas where displacement has occurred, islands were categorized into 4 areas in which the highest number of affected people were likely to be found, or who would require monitoring. These categories are defined as follows:

Category 1 islands:

     Islands in which more than half of the population has been displaced, where there has been complete flooding, and in which large structural damage has occurred. In these islands, the entire population would require some level of support, irrespective of their economic profiles.  A total of 13 islands fall into this category.

Category 2 islands:

     Islands that have been completely or half flooded, even if no structural damage has occurred. This is based on the assumption that even if there was no damage to buildings, flooding is likely to have destroyed or damaged agricultural lands, seeds, tools and fertilizers, or equipment related to specialized income activities such as power-tools for carpenters. Conversely, islands that have had lower levels of flooding yet have suffered structural damages also implies the loss of assets, and so are placed into this category. Within this group, only people with certain economic profiles would require some level of support. A total of 82 islands fall into this category.

Category 3 islands:

     All islands that have been flooded between a third and a half, even if no structural damage has occurred. This is based on the same assumptions referred to in the second category above. A total of 23 islands fall into this category.

Category 4 islands –monitoring essential:

     Islands that have had minimal flooding will require monitoring to see whether agricultural production has been affected. This will be the same for all islands that have no flooding data. A total of 81 islands fall into this category.

4.2: Impact on livelihoods

During the VPA 2004, island chiefs were asked to state the most important economic activities in which people from the island are involved in or rely on, and to rank these activities in order of importance. The data shows that of the 200 islands assessed in the VPA, the primary economic activity for people on 99 islands (50% of total islands) was fishing, 40 islands (20%) was tourism, 20 islands (10%) was agriculture, 16 islands (8%) was Government or public works employment, and the remaining islands’ primary livelihood opportunities were based on manufacturing, trade, or were not stated. The second most important economic livelihood activities in the islands were Government/public works employment and fishing - 53 and 50 (27% and 25%) islands respectively, 31 (16%) islands for both construction and tourism, trade on 24 (12%) islands, and the remainder either in manufacturing or were not stated.

Excluding the capital of Male’, 49% of the population in the islands (92,500 people) live in areas where the main economic activity is fishing. This is followed by islands where tourism is the most important activity (18% - 34,300 people) and Government / public works (10% - 18,400 people).

When looking at the secondary economic activities, it was found that 51,200 people (27%) lived on islands where this was related to Government / public works, 36,200 people (19%) in islands related to trade, 33,000 people (18%) in tourism, and 28,100 people (15%) in both fishing and construction.   

Given that those people involved in Government and public works activities have regular employment and salaries paid by the Government, it was felt that the chance of people losing these jobs or salaries due to the tsunami as unlikely. As regards the tourism industry, it was also felt that those directly involved in working in resorts would only be temporarily affected if the resort itself was damaged, and for the time it takes to rebuild it. For the most part, many of the people on those islands linked to tourism are primarily involved in the provision of supplies (fruits, vegetables, fish and seafood’s, etc.), handicrafts, and other services. As such, the livelihoods of these people have been captured as part of other economic categories in this study.

Taking the above into consideration, the assessment concentrated on those livelihoods linked to fishing, agriculture, manufacturing and construction, and trade to get a better understanding of the impact that the tsunami may have had on peoples ability to generate their income.

4.2a: The unemployed

This group is likely to comprise of female and / or disabled bodied head of households, or those that simply cannot find work. Community members also identified large families where almost all children were in school and the household head being unable to work as falling into this category. This group has been subdivided into two categories, namely those that are receiving remittances from family members off the island, and those that are not.

For the former, although they are not working they are receiving support and assistance through remittances by family members that could be living abroad, working in the tourist industry, or in Male’. As such, they have an income source and a family that looks after their welfare – some families reported that they expect a steady flow of remittances to begin at the end of January. For the latter group, these people have no regular sources of income, or family members working off the islands that can send back remittances. They are generally reliant on kinship and / or community for in-kind assistance of food, and for their basic non-food essentials such as the payment of medical, fuel, and electricity bills. As such, the unemployed with no remittances are likely to be social welfare cases, and should be regarded as the extreme vulnerable.

The tsunami has placed strain on the communities as a whole. Although community networks are still supporting this group, resources to share with the unemployed with no external family support are currently limited.

4.2b: Agriculture

Households whose income is primarily reliant on agricultural activities fall into this category. Two types of agricultural activities were identified for people involved in this activity on the islands visited, namely larger scale farming on communal land, and small scale home gardens. Both are used to generate income for the household, though the latter is used more for family consumption. The main crops grown are vegetables and fruits. Where communal land was present, all families could access it. Larger families who would thus have more members to work the land, tended to have larger agricultural plots. Although some hiring of people to work the land by those with larger plots did occur, it was reported to be a rather limited and uncommon practice.

An estimated one third of the crop production is kept for household consumption and for sharing amongst the islanders or to other relatives and friends outside of the island. Depending on the scale of agriculture done by the household for sale, produce is either sold within the island, or to traders who resell this in Male’, the resorts, or in a few cases to other islands nearby. On the islands visited where agriculture was a key livelihood activity, it was reported that produce contributed to an estimated 60% of the household income.

The tsunami has washed away agricultural crops, seeds, tools, and fertilizers. People are reporting that the soil and water for irrigation is still too salty to begin replanting, even if they had the seeds and tools. People felt that if heavy rains could flush the salt content out of the land and underground water, it would take approximately six months to get vegetable production back on track, and about two years to get agriculture back to pre-tsunami levels. People have requested a technical evaluation of the soil and water as they are unsure when they can resume their agricultural activities.

Islanders have also expressed an interest in hydroponics agriculture, but do not know whether this is technically feasible or how it would be financed. The possibility of establishing communal plots was proposed by one island chief, but people were unsure as to how water would be managed, and stated a preference for having independent plots. Home nurseries to germinate seedlings during the time it takes for agricultural land to become desalinated was discussed as a possibility for intervention, though it was felt by the communities that this may be constrained by the lack of sweet water for irrigation.

Many people also felt that until they can get their agricultural activities back on track and some income is being generated, they will be unable to get loans as they have no collateral, or be unable to repay the monthly contributions and interest. Fishing, as an interim income generating activity is only possible for a few families. Many of them have reported that they have either lost their fishing skills, or do not know how to fish as they have not used this as part of their livelihood strategies in the past. In any case, these families do not have fishing equipment.

4.2c: Manufacturing

These people are involved in income generating activities that range from small cottage industries, such as weaving, rope making, tailoring, seamstresses, and preserving of fruits and vegetables to more highly skilled activities such as carpenters, electricians, and welders. In all cases, with the exception of activities like weaving and rope making that uses natural resources, expensive specialized equipment is used such as sewing machines and power-tools. Small cottage industries are mostly used as primary income for women, and it was reported that weaving and rope making can contribute up to 15% of the household economy. Specialized activities such as carpentry and welding are, in most cases, the sole source of income for families involved in these businesses. They have made large investments in the purchasing of equipment, workers are highly skilled, and have little other livelihood diversification strategies to fall back on, such as fishing or agriculture.

In areas flooded by the tsunami, most of these tools and equipment have either been damaged by salt water, or lost. Islands have reported high losses of sewing machines, high powered electrical tools, electrical appliances and generators. Although weaving and rope making has already begun on some islands, women have been stating that there is still no market for these products.

In all islands visited, focus groups consistently identified these people as one of the most highly affected and vulnerable groups from the tsunami, as they have lost their tools and due to their specialized income generating activities, they have few options or skills to engage in other activities. In one island, a discussion with this group revealed that they were too scared to go out on the boats to fish as they did not how to do so, even though there were boats available if they needed them.

4.2d: Fishing and Fish processing

Most fishing revolves around deep water line fishing for tuna, where catches are primarily sold to offshore ‘collective boats’ or to fish processors back on the islands. It was reported that approximately two thirds of the catch will be purchased by these collective vessels, and the remainder (normally comprised of damaged or non-tuna fish species) by the fish processors (tuna only). Prior to deep water fishing, fishermen go out on the reefs at night and use generator operated spotlights and nets to catch bait fish. Fish processing involves the cleaning, boiling, smoking and sun-drying of tuna, which is then sold to the markets of Male’ for further export. Families can either be exclusively involved in one or the other of these two activities, or rely on both. Extended families may also have members either fishing or processing. Although it was reported that some islands have communal fish processing units, this is uncommon and most people have their own facilities at home. Some fishermen supplement their income with lobster or reef fishing for the resorts.

The tsunami has affected these activities in various ways and degrees across the islands. Some islands have reported losses or damages to boats, or fishing nets, spotlights and generators used for fishing. Others have reported that only fish processing units – consisting of a concrete slab for cleaning fish, large pots for boiling, and smoking sheds and drying racks - have been lost. In all cases with the exception of those islands that have been completely devastated, it was reported that most fishermen have resumed fishing, and people can fish communally if needed. Those that are not fishing have either lost equipment, or are engaged in cleaning debris and / or reconstruction. Catches are either being sold to the collective boats, or are brought back to the island and shared with the community as food. Approximately a quarter to a half of those involved in fish processing have resumed their activities – for those that have not, this is because they have either lost their equipment or are involved in clearing debris from their homes. Given that these activities are inter-related, fishermen relying on fish processors to purchase surplus catches will have lost income if the latter have lost their equipment and are unable to process fish. Conversely, fish processors relying on fishermen to bring back catches to the island will suffer where fishing has reduced.

4.2e: Construction

Families involved in construction would be builders, brick makers, or engaged in more industrial types of activities such as building contractors and businesses, finishers, or operators of construction or demolition equipment. The latter are more linked to larger industrial islands, whereas the former are more likely to be found in the smaller islands linked to other livelihood activities.

It was reported that these people bring to the island only the quantities of building materials (e.g. cement) required for a specific job, as storage on the islands is limited. Thus, stocks that have been lost will not, for the most part, be excessive. Of greater concern would be the loss of brick making moulds – yet these are fairly inexpensive, estimated at around 500 Ruffia (approximately US$40) each. However, given that the skills of this group are now in high demand in the reconstruction effort, people reported that the greatest needs will be the materials for rebuilding homes, which would in turn provide employment for this group. These materials are already starting to reach the islands, and the greatest need for this group would be to have access to credit and loans to replace any moulds or basic tools (trowels, wheel barrows, buckets, and spades) that would allow for the making of bricks and building of homes. It was also reported that there are many people on the islands who know how (and indeed like) to make bricks and do basic construction that would assist the full time construction workers.

4.2f: Trade and transport

Trade mainly operates directly between the island and Male’, and less so between islands and the atoll centres - although there is small scale trade between islands, mostly to the resorts where goods (vegetables and fruits, fish, handicrafts, etc.) are sold. Most traders have their own shops, and many have secondary income generating activities or lease and hire their boats to others.

Traders go to Male’ with commodities produced or collected on the islands (such as dried fish, vegetables, shells, woven mats, etc.) for sale. Whilst there, they purchase goods needed back on the islands, including basic food commodities - rice, flour and sugar – from the Government run State Trading Organization (STO) at subsidized rates. The Government sets a ceiling on the profit that a trader can resell this food. This ensures that staple food prices are regulated, and profits made on food are used to pay for porter and transportation (fuel, boat hiring) costs rather than as a source of income. The bringing of food to the island is done more so as a service to the community rather than as a way to make money, and profits are made through the sale of other more expensive goods and non-food essentials. It was found in most islands visited that traders know how to manage their food stocks, and how often and in what quantities food has to be brought back to the island. Other opportunities for purchasing goods outside of the island yet not through the traders exist in the use of ferries. This is done by individuals, and mostly when they take their children to schools outside of the island or when they need to go to Male’ or atoll centres for health or business reasons.

Transport and trade in the tsunami affected islands has reduced, as people have little or no purchasing power and few to no commodities to trade or sell. The Women’s Development Committee (WDC) that manage the food stocks on one island reported – ‘There is no produce on the island that we can purchase and sell in Male’, and cover the expenses required to hire a boat. So we can not bring food supplies back to the island.’ Their solution was to try and get a cash loan to hire a boat from a local islander that needs money, and restart their trade again whilst prompting cash flows through the island. Already half of the families have at least one family member that has started fishing and is getting some income whilst others are processing dried fish, and the women felt that this would be sufficient to get their trade up and running once the commodities of the first boat trip have been sold and they can begin to hire boats again.

Many traders and shopkeepers have reported the loss or damage of stocks, and that business has almost halved. Others have not re-opened their shops as people don’t have money to spend – much cash and savings were washed away during the tsunami. Although cash flows through remittances are beginning and are expected to increase by the end of January, this is still insufficient to get trade fully back on track. Other traders have decided that at the moment they cannot resume any large-scale trading given the limited purchasing power of people. Another problem facing traders is the purchase of fuel – not only is there a current shortage, but with reduced business they are unable to cover transportation costs. This will not only impact the flow of food into the islands, but also all the essential non-food items and commodities that people require. As such, it is critical that cash is injected into the economy, and that relief interventions aim to promote the purchasing power of people, and support rather than disrupt or undermine trade flows and transportation.

4.2g: Tourism

Those people that are reliant on tourism normally do not live on the islands but rather on the tourist resorts, or will commute daily to their place of work. They also send remittances back to their families on the islands.

Provided that the resorts in which they work are still operational, they will have a secure income. However, in areas where resorts may be temporarily closing down for reconstruction or are laying people off, these groups will lose their income source. People that are working in resorts that have not been damaged, yet are facing a reduction of tourists, may be at risk to temporary lay-offs. Thus, it is essential that tourism returns to pre-tsunami levels to ensure employment for the people working in the resorts and a continued flow of remittances back to the islands to support and assist families. As this is currently the high season for tourism, it would be vital that this activity picks up as soon as possible.

4.2h: Government / public works

These people are involved in some form of Government, industrial, or public works and services activities. They are still employed, and will continue to receive salaries. However, factories that have lost machinery and equipment will be running at a loss, and until this is addressed there is always the risk of temporary lay-offs.

4.2i: Other sectors

These families comprise of small artisans, artists, musicians etc. It was not possible to identify these groups during the assessment, and determine how the tsunami has impacted their livelihoods.

4.3: Internally Displaced People (IDP’s)

Large displacements have occurred in 13 islands, with people being displaced within their own islands, or having moved to others. Although at first glance some of these numbers may not seem to be high (e.g. 90 people in Madifushi island), they do represent almost the entire community, implying that reliance on each other for assistance for the months of reconstruction ahead wont be possible. Overall, almost 11,000 people have been displaced in large numbers and in islands that have had almost total flooding or infrastructural damage to homes and buildings. The table on the following page indicates the number of recorded displaced as of the beginning of January, from data sourced from the National Disaster Management Centre. Although some tracking of IDP’s to other islands has been done, this group has been on the move, with some families returning to their place of origin whilst others moving elsewhere.

These IDP’s are identified as being amongst the most vulnerable population group, and are completely dependant on host communities and the Government. Their asset bases have been lost, and they are unable to restart their livelihoods until they return home and rebuild their houses, or settle down in a new location.

Approximately 50% of their homes were completely destroyed, and a further estimated 30% badly damaged across these islands. In three of the islands visited in the assessment, almost all homes have been totally destroyed. Overcrowding in homes that were not damaged or with the host communities is exacerbating already poor sanitation facilities, and further strain is being placed on limited water resources in host islands. The Government, in collaboration with aid agencies, has started erecting sanitary facilities and temporary shelters to cater for displaced populations and to begin easing the pressure on host communities or families. Nonetheless, overcrowding is still a serious problem, as tents provided are insufficient to house all the affected families and two to three households can be found sharing the same tent (in Kolhufushi island, 48 tents were provided for approximately 200 households). Such conditions, if not addressed immediately, are likely to result in the outbreak of diseases. Currently, efforts are underway to ensure that adequate and sufficient shelters are provided to the IDP’s.

The majority of the IDP’s relied on fishing as their main livelihood activity. In several islands, people were tuna fishing for income, whilst in others fishing was primarily for subsistence. No major damages to fishing boats were reported, and the majority of fishermen still had their boats. An estimated 50% of fishermen have begun fishing, though this is mostly to provide fish to their communities at no cost, and reflecting the strong social networks that exist within these communities. Those who have not gone back to fishing stated that they were waiting for the cleaning of the islands to be completed, for the reconstruction effort to begin, or because they simply do not want to leave their families behind whilst they are unsettled and living in the open or in a host community. Some fishermen have reported the loss of equipment, and do not have utensils to prepare fish.

The peak fishing period was identified to run between January and April, and interventions should be timely to enable fishermen who have not resumed these activities as yet to take advantage of the peak seasons. Those who were relying on agriculture have lost their crops and fruit trees, and land and water has been contaminated with salt.

The Government and other donors have been providing food - rice, flour and sugar, and other food items such as noodles, milk, juices and water – as well as non-food essentials to the IDP’s. Consumption patterns have reportedly remained the same - three meals a day. Distribution systems were found to be efficient, and the food rations distributed to beneficiaries last approximately 2 weeks before another cycle is required.

The immediate priorities identified by IDP’s were:

     Reconstruction and repair of damaged houses

     Provision of water and sanitation facilities

     Provision and restoration of health facilities

     Provision of cash to restore assets and other household goods

     Continued provision of food that would free any cash resources they may have left, or that they would be able to earn

4.4: Other information

4.4a: Credit and loans

One of the greatest worries expressed by the islanders is their ability to get loans. Many people were repaying loans from the National Bank or the Atoll Development Committee that had been taken to purchase household goods or income generating equipment. Due to the tsunami, these assets may have been lost or damaged, yet the repayments on the loans are still outstanding. People doubt their ability to pay off two loans were they to take another to replace lost goods or rebuild houses. Another concern raised is that they no longer have assets that they can mortgage (such as a house), can not put up an equal amount of cash in order to get a loan, or have any form of collateral as surety against a loan.

4.4b: Nutrition

In the islands visited, it was reported that prior to the tsunami, people were eating three meals a day consisting of rice, fish and vegetables, and with morning and afternoon snacks. Typical meals consist of chapatti and tuna for breakfast, and various curries, rice and salads for both lunch and dinner. Curry is often watery and contains very little protein. A typical Maldivian dish – Gardhia - consists of clear fish soup with chilli and some tuna, and is eaten daily either at lunch or dinner. Some green leaves are consumed in salads, but in limited amounts. In general, children normally eat the same types of food and have the same meal frequency as the rest of the family, though their portion size is smaller. Men and young boys are served first, then women and younger children. It is most often the male household member who gets most food in terms of quality and quantity. Infants were fed a combination of breast milk and baby foods – typically commercial porridges.

Although it appears that people may have sufficient food to eat in terms of meeting energy requirements, dietary diversity is poor due to low availability of fruits and vegetables on the islands. A second MICS survey conducted by the Ministry of Health, UNICEF, and WHO in 2001 raised concerns on the nutritional status of children in the Maldives. Although malnutrition rates have decreased since the MICS 1 study conducted in 1995, the malnutrition rates among children under five still remains high, with 24.8% stunting (chronic malnutrition), 13.2% wasting (acute malnutrition), and 30.4% underweight (overall malnutrition) reported.

There are little data available on micronutrient deficiencies in the Maldives. An iodine deficiency disorder survey conducted by the Ministry of Health and WHO in 2002 found moderate goitre prevalence of 25.7%, and 0.1% of severe goitre among children 6-12 years. Salt with inadequate iodine content was consumed by 38% of the children. Due to limited intake of vegetables and other sources of iron it is likely that rates of anaemia is high among children and women. Thalesima (a genetic anaemia) is a known problem amongst Maldivian's but this is not related to dietary intake.

Since the tsunami, it was reported that adults and children are still eating three meals a day, though they have stopped eating snacks. Vegetables have either greatly reduced or been removed from the diet as this food source has been lost – this is a cause for concern as it further deteriorates what could have already been a poor diet. The loss of agricultural production has reduced the availability of fresh fruits and vegetables, and is a situation that could last for an extended period of time until agriculture resumes. In addition, households that used to have poultry have lost these in the tsunami, and with them protein sources of meat and eggs. For weaning infants, it was also reported that there has been no change in the feeding practices both before and after the tsunami, though the solids fed to babies have changed. They received jars of baby food in their relief packages, though it is not clear what the source of this was - whether it came through a Government distribution or from another in-kind donation given directly to the island. In any case, this is not a sustainable practice.

4.4c: Women’s Development Committee’s

Most islands have a Women’s Development Committee (WDC). In some islands, these committee’s were found to be extremely active, running small businesses, generating income for community projects, and managing the island food stocks. Where possible, implementation of food based interventions should be channelled through these WDC’s, and have them take an active role in targeting, managing and monitoring food distributions – where required - as a primary implementing partner.