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Tsunami Reconstruction Initiative
The earthquake and tsunami that ravaged a dozen South and Southeast Asian countries in December of 2004 caused a huge loss of lives and livelihoods. From 2006 to 2009, the Tsunami Reconstruction Initiative promoted long-term recovery efforts by helping youth in affected areas access training, jobs, apprenticeships, microcredit loans, and livelihood support services. Local programs in…
The earthquake and tsunami that ravaged a dozen South and Southeast Asian countries in December of 2004 caused a huge loss of lives and livelihoods. From 2006 to 2009, the Tsunami Reconstruction Initiative promoted long-term recovery efforts by helping youth in affected areas access training, jobs, apprenticeships, microcredit loans, and livelihood support services. Local programs in four countries provided youth ages 16 to 29 with Passport to Success® life skills education, vocational training, and support in launching their own businesses. Participating youth created a range of micro- and small-enterprises—from processing cashews to bottling juices and from producing handicrafts to promoting tourism. At the end of the initiative, 12,430 youth had received livelihood support services, and more than 42,350 youth and adults indirectly benefitted.