Indian Ocean earthquake tsunami, 26 December 2004: report on tsunami funds channelled through OCHA 2005-2006

The Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami that struck on 26 December 2004 created an unprecedented challenge for the United Nations and the world at large. At the same time, it started a new era of increased cooperation in response in the humanitarian sector. In view of the volume of funds that were received in OCHA’s account as well as the number of donors, the Tsunami Trust Fund was established as a separate Trust Fund to allow for optimal monitoring of the utilisation of the funds. In a joint effort with the United Nations country teams and the IASC Tsunami Task Force, OCHA has directed these funds to a number of UN Agencies to assist the victims in rebuilding their livelihoods after this disaster. As a result, OCHA has managed the Tsunami Trust Fund on behalf of more than 60 public and private donors and 14 recipient organizations and has performed an advisory role for all issues related to the utilisation of the funds.