The earthquake of 26 December 2004 that occurred on the interface of the India and Burma plates and the tsunamis that followed it brought widespread devastation in the countries around the Indian Ocean rim. In total 13 countries were afflicted: Indonesia , Sri Lanka , India , Thailand , Bangladesh , the Maldives , Malaysia , Myanmar , Somalia , Kenya , Tanzania and Seychelles . An estimated 150,000 people lost their lives, many more have become homeless and close to 5 million people have been badly affected by this calamity.

Sri Lanka has reported more than 30,500 people killed and over one million displaced by the tsunami. Over 5,500 people are still missing while more than 800,000 people have been forced into 800 makeshift camps. Recent figures indicate that 88,000 houses have been destroyed. Many cities or urban settlements have been wiped out.

In Indonesia , latest reports indicate that the death toll in Northern Sumatra stands close to 100,000. Around 500,000 people are sheltering in tents or scattered refugee camps. The Aceh special region is also suffering from prolonged internal conflicts (insurgency). Since most of its settlements were along the shoreline, the damage has been as extensive as the number of deaths.

In Thailand , the interior ministry has confirmed over 5,000 deaths. The number reported missing fell to 3,716 from 4,449 reported earlier. Please websites for latest figures.

In Africa, the 645-kilometre coastline in northeast Somalia was the worst hit with some 132 deaths reported. Some 1,500 properties were damaged and about 40 villages were affected.