Early in 2005 we reported an urgent need for help for women survivors of the tsunami. Thanks to generous donations, in particular by the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation and the Japanese and Korean governments, our Member Associations in the area have been able to help thousands of people in need.

Emergency clinics and health camps were quickly set up in some of the most devastated areas and staff have been assisting in general relief work as well as aid and rehabilitation efforts.

Among the huge numbers affected by the disaster are thousands of women needing medical and nutritional support during pregnancy. Media sources at the time were also reporting that women and girls in the displaced communities faced a high risk of sexual violence and harrassment.

Conditions were appalling and some of our Associations suffered personal losses. In the province of Aceh, Indonesia, four board members and two youth volunteers lost their lives and others are still missing.

In this report, the news from our Member Associations gives a positive update on the tragic events of 26 December 2004.