The Deadliest Tsunami in History?

It was a serene Sunday in Banda Aceh, Indonesia when a substantial earthquake measuring around 8-9 on the Richter scale devastated the Indian Ocean region. The quake started at approximately 8:25 a.m. and lasted a prolonged seven minutes. The sea level drastically subsided and residents of the Banda Aceh began collecting fish that were exposed on the beach due to the change in sea level. At this time, in Banda Aceh, it was now 9 a.m., and Banda Aceh was not as peaceful. Overwhelming waves began to demolish homes and businesses on the shore as well as violently carry away pedestrians. Dead bodies, collapsed buildings, and a layer of mud nearly a foot thick accumulated on the shoreline after the tsunami struck. (After the Tsunamis). After twenty minutes of chaos, the lives of the residents as well as the tourists encompassing the Indian Ocean Region including Banda Aceh would be changed forever. The Boxing Day tsunami had numerous detrimental effects such on people, property, and the environment which ultimately raised tsunami awareness around the Indian Ocean region.

There were many harmful effects to the people of Indonesia, India, Sri Lanka as well as numerous countries in Southeast Asia. The effects on tourists and residents included physical and metal injuries, such as psychological problems, respiratory infections, bone fractures, and skin diseases. The Boxing Day tsunami is estimated to have killed over 230,000 by causing victims to drown and also causing various other fatal injuries. (Indonesia Commemorates). These deaths have a physical and mental effect on the people of Indonesia, in particular the children who have lost their family in this natural disaster. In "Psychosocial aid to children after the Dec. 26 tsunami", Kathleen Kostelny and Michael Wessells focus on the necessities of children after the 2004 tsunami. They convey the causes, effects and solution to the psychological dismay of the children after such a horrific event. Kostenly and Wessells have a strong belief that the tsunami, as well as other catastrophic events, breaks down children's sense of "safety and predictability" as well as increasing the susceptibility to fear. After losing key figures in their lives due to the tsunami, such as parents, siblings, and friends, the children become more vulnerable to their safety due to these separations. The children have very little support after devastation of their schools, homes, and communities. To help these children in need, the Christian Children's Fund worked with local partners to establish centers for tsunami-affected children. These centers originally established in the countries, such as Afghanistan and Angola, due to the everyday havoc of their societies. The centers observe more than 38,000 children across the Indian Ocean region which primarily includes the countries of Sri Lanka, India, and Indonesia. The centers intend to mold children through activities as well as restoring the children's sense of trust. The children participate in activities such as singing, dancing, and playing with other victims.

Along with the individual effects, the tsunami also had effects on society. The tsunami devastated businesses after crashing into the coastlines on December 26, 2004. With virtually all the business in Indonesia, and much of it in other impacted countries, now depleted, the economy was bound to struggle. The two main areas of business affected by the tsunami were the fishing and tourists businesses due to the destruction of these companies' buildings and supplies. In Sri Lanka alone, the fishing industry employed approximately a quarter of a million people. Also directly affecting the fishing industry is the change of ocean depths after the earthquake. The change in ocean depths could take years before the fishing industry can correctly navigate again. Tourism also took a large economical blow from the Boxing Day tsunami. In Thailand, for example, the premier tourist destination in all of Asia, approximately 5,300 were confirmed dead from 36 different countries. In