2nd anniversary of tsunami

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Source: CCTV.com | 12-26-2006 14:21

Asian nations are remembering the over 230,000 killed in the Indian Ocean tsunami two years ago. But many survivors are continuing to face difficult times and are still recovering from the devastating tsunami. And many are still living in temporary barracks.

However, aid and reconstruction efforts have been stepped up in many disaster stricken areas.

Indonesia accounted for nearly 2/3 of those killed. And it will mark Tuesday's anniversary by preparing for future deadly waves. Thousands of people are scheduled to take part in evacuation drills on various resort islands, including Bali. Indonesian authorities were aiming to build 128,00 houses by the end of 2007. But only 57-thousand houses have been completed. Meanwhile, the Asia Development Bank says it is working to speed up reconstruction work in Banda Aceh. The bank has donated 300 million US Dollars for the reconstruction of the severely-hit area.

In Thailand, ceremonies will be held along the Andaman coast with Buddhist prayers to remember the over 8,200 killed. But the tourism authority says the industry is picking up.

November saw a 90 percent booking rate of all the rooms available on the resort island of Phuket during Christmas eve.

Over in Sri Lanka, two minutes of silence will be held in Hindu and Buddhist temples to remember the 35,000 killed there. And interfaith ceremonies will be held in India, where another 18,000 are believed to have died.

The 2004 tsunami generated an unprecedented outpouring of generosity. Donor pledges reached some $13.6 billion US dollars. But many of the 2 million made homeless say they still do not have adequate places to live.

Editor:Du Xiaodan