Tsunami provokes radical change in crisis response

Reuters
The World Health Organization says it and other groups must fundamentally change the way they respond to natural disasters following a frank review of their work after the Indian Ocean tsunami. (May 6, 2005)

Tsunami Impact Felt One Month On

BBC News
Exactly a month after the tsunami struck shores around the rim of the Indian Ocean, huge challenges remain for survivors, governments and aid agencies in the region. (January 25, 2005)

U.S. Forces Winding Down Tsunami Relief Effort

The New York Times

The admiral in charge of the American relief effort for regions hit by last month's tsunami said today that he will begin handing the work over to local governments and aid groups, and that he expects to wind up the military effort by late February. (January 20, 2005)

Scramble for Tsunami Warning Plan Sparks U.N. Concern (HBS only)

FT.com
The United Nations is trying to fashion a unified plan for a global tsunami early warning system amid signs of disarray as several countries and agencies compete to take a lead in the high-profile initiative. (January 18, 2005)

Corruption in Indonesia Is Worrying Aid Groups (HBS only)

The New York Times

As the United States and other world governments prepare to channel hundreds of millions of aid dollars to the tsunami-ravaged regions of Aceh, Indonesia's culture of corruption has emerged as a major concern. (January 13, 2005)

2004 Tsunami Management Challenges

The tsunami crisis presents unique management challenges rarely seen before in other disasters. Harvard professor Herman B. "Dutch" Leonard analyzes the issues facing relief workers.

Outpouring of Cash Pledges Creates an Unexpected Challenge for U.N. Officials (HBS only)

Financial Times
The United Nations and international donors yesterday faced an unusual problem as they sought to rally help for victims of the Indian Ocean tsunami: not a shortage of money, but a surfeit—or at least far more promised cash than they can use in the coming months. (January 7, 2005)

The Future of Calamity (HBS only)

The New York Times
Unimaginable as it may seem, future catastrophes may be far grimmer than the recent tsunami event. Many more such disasters—from earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, to floods, mudslides and droughts—are likely to devastate countries already hard hit by poverty and political turmoil. (January 2, 2005)

Logistics: Delivering the Aid

BBC News
A huge international relief effort to help survivors of the Indian Ocean tsunami is getting under way. But what supplies do people need and how will the aid be delivered?

Tsunamis Prompt EU Review of Crisis Management (HBS only)

Financial Times
The European Union should set up a 5,000-strong "crisis management corps" to deal with disasters such as the Asian tsunamis, according to proposals soon to be put to the European Commission. (January 3, 2005)