Impacts of post Tsunami recovery on infrastructure and livelihood - a case study of Sainthamaruthu coastal area

Abstract

The terrible Asian Tsunami as the natural disaster has come to devastate the coastal zone of the Ampara District in Sri Lanka in December 2004. It has its* considerable impact on the livelihood of the affected people and others living with them and also the fixture generations in Ampara. It's affects in the social livelihood is considered, the most devastating than any other aspects. Those who have lost their lives have been ignored or considered unfortunate. The remaining individuals, children, widows and others who survived, have come to face various setbacks in their lives: They could not get back to their normal livelihoods as they are placed in a damaged environment in Ampara District. Sainthamaruthu Divisional Secretariat area is located in the eastern coastal line in Ampara district. Bordering the Indian Ocean on the east, the Kalmunai on the north, the karaithivu DS division on the south and Sammanthurai DS division on the west. The main objective of the research is to examine and assess impact from 2005 to 2009 of post tsunami recovery on in restructure and livelihood of Research Area by the government, nongovernmental organizations (NGO), and international nongovernmental organizations (INGO). The research is analyzing by using interpretative research methodology and also exploring by studying both primary and secondary materials. In the primary source, questionnaire, personal observation and interview methods are mostly used. In the secondary source, such as books, magazines, news paper articles, published and unpublished sources are used where necessary. So, bringing the Socio-Economic problems under control is beyond possibility and is in question. Leaving aside the political risk, the need of Tsunami affected people are not satisfied or met fully. The benefits of the Post-Tsunami recovery process do not sufficiently reach these people. They are not property guided or assisted. Most of them remain innocent of the Government or NGOs assistance to resurrect their livelihood. They are found helpless. As a result, the society is found unstable or disrupted economically.