International Actors Leading in Relief Efforts: 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami Aid Assessment

The Indian Ocean tsunami was one of the most devastating natural disasters the world has seen in the last 50 years. Following the calamities, the world responded and international actors went to work to relieve human suffering and rebuild the infrastructure that lay in ruins. This study examines the collective experiences of 21 organizations according to six disaster management dimensions: disaster preparedness, early recovery/livelihood support, public awareness, capacity‐building, accountability and measuring mechanisms, and coordination post‐disaster. The findings of this study provide policy recommendations according to the accomplishments, limitations, and progress made since 2004 shared by organizations responding to the largest and most publicized humanitarian crisis in recent times.