The tsunami of 26 December 2004 wreaked havoc across eight countries around the Indian Ocean. From Thailand to Somalia, coastal villages and towns were washed away by the waves. By far the worst hit was Aceh, Indonesia's northernmost province, which felt the full force of the tsunami. An estimated 170,000 people were killed in Indonesia alone, while over 600 communities were wiped out.
More than a third of those who died were children.
The destructive effect of the tsunami on Indonesia was enormous. An estimated 500,000 people were left homeless, around 38,600 students and 2,500 teachers were killed, and 800,000 people lost their sources of livelihood, most of them fishermen and farmers.
Sri Lanka
The tsunami caused widespread destruction in five provinces in Sri Lanka. IR aid workers provided emergency relief immediately after the disaster and are now rehabilitating areas affected by the disaster.