Many staff members — past and present — were involved in rebuilding homes and lives through Habitat for Humanity’s multi-year response to the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. They share their reflections.

Habitat for Humanity’s response to the Indian Ocean tsunami was made possible because of the contributions of volunteers. They traveled thousands of miles to commit time, labor and resources. Twenty years later, families and volunteers shared memorable moments.

Sandhiya, who lives in Villupuram district in India’s southern state of Tamil Nadu, recalled how the volunteers provided support and comfort. “The quality of the construction was very good. Many international volunteers came and worked alongside us. They asked about our story while we worked together. We were very happy about such interaction that gave us mental relief at the time.”

Jean Smith and her daughter Jennifer Combs were among U.S. volunteers who helped rebuild homes in Killai village in Tamil Nadu. Jean said, “By the end of the project, we had formed wonderful friendships and mutual respect for these people who had lost everything.”

For Jennifer “my favorite part of the trip was meeting and engaging with the villagers. We played games with the kids, danced with the villagers, tried our hand at cricket, and shared meals.”

Olivia Wong, a long-term volunteer and present member of Habitat’s international board of directors, also remembered the family that her team worked with in post-tsunami Sri Lanka.

“My most memorable moment was the family we partnered with. It was a young family with parents and 3 kids. Their home was destroyed, and they were living in a makeshift shelter right next to their ‘new’ home. The father was earnest and worked hard to put in sweat equity to build a home for his family. He was meticulous and demanding of himself and this really made us want to work that much harder to make sure he and his family have a decent home to live in.

“The experience has shaped my view of the world and my life. On a personal level, I truly appreciate what ‘blessing’ really means. We only need to do our part to help one person to move forward one step at a time. As we combine each individual’s willingness to help, there will be a ‘tsunami’ of change.”

As Jean Smith thinks of the families who built alongside the volunteers, she said, “The project provided them with a home which enabled them to continue with their way of life. Yet, I know that they are changed forever. I hope the memories they live with have made them stronger.”

Among the worse-affected countries, India reported more than 16,000 people dead in the wake of the Dec. 26, 2004, tsunami. The country’s economic loss came to US$1.7 billion. The catastrophe highlighted the vulnerability of coastal communities. Three families who have rebuilt their homes and lives with Habitat for Humanity India share how they have overcome challenges.

Rani’s family of five used to live in a thatched house near the beach in Villupuram district, southern India. She recalled, “Suddenly, the big waves came from the sea, completely destroying our house. We didn’t know what was happening. Everyone ran from the beach to the main road to survive.” Rani’s two children were taken by her mother to a safe place. Rescued by other villagers, Rani gave birth to her third child two weeks later.

With the support of Habitat for Humanity India, Rani’s family built a new brick home that was dedicated a year after the tsunami. After her husband Muniyan died in 2010, she had to bring up the children on her own. But Rani felt secure. “It is questionable whether I would have been at peace if I had not such a house.”

Currently, Rani lives with her youngest daughter Pavya while her married eldest daughter Narmatha stays in a village nearby. Rani’s son is currently working abroad in the fishing industry. She said, “I have to save some money and build another room so that my son who is going to get married will be comfortable.”

Another villager Porkalai recalled the difficult times when many tsunami-affected families had to stay in relief camps. There was a sense of insecurity. With the support of Habitat staff and volunteers, Porkalai and her husband, who had since passed away, were able to build a new home that was more spacious, better ventilated and with access to electricity.

Porkalai’s second daughter Surya said, “Now all our children are grown up. But they come and stay with my mother and take good care of her. Even though my mother is old, we are relieved that she is in a safe house.”

Others in the village feel a sense of security. Sandhiya said, “We left our children safely at home and went to work. As a result, our family’s economic situation improved to some extent. We educated our children well and saw them get married. Now they live happily with their husbands and children.”

Her daughter Sivalaksmi recalled that there were only four or five concrete houses back then with most people living in huts. According to her, villagers respect others based on the condition of their houses. While her family had low income, they were able to build a quality home with Habitat’s support. “We got an honor that we did not have before. After that, there was an atmosphere of equality in the village.”

Her daughter Sivalaksmi recalled that there were only four or five concrete houses back then with most people living in huts. According to her, villagers respect others based on the condition of their houses. While her family had low income, they were able to build a quality home with Habitat’s support. “We got an honor that we did not have before. After that, there was an atmosphere of equality in the village.”

Sivalaksmi remembered being happy in their new home when she was young. It was airy and had sufficient light. Having a toilet — which they did not have before — was a new experience too.

Of the 230,000 people who were killed by the massive December 2004 tsunami, about three-quarters of them died in Indonesia alone. On the 20th anniversary of the disaster, Karnen Dasen, who lived in Indonesia’s hardest-hit Aceh province, recalled what happened.

Then a university student in Ajun village, he said, “It was a quiet Sunday morning on December 26, 2004. I had just woken up when a powerful earthquake shook my village in Aceh, Indonesia. About 30 minutes later, I heard a strange noise like a jet plane. Then I saw something I’ll never forget — a massive wall of water rushing toward us. I grabbed my sibling and ran out of the house. People were running, some hurt, others just trying to find their loved ones.

After the waves had receded, I tried to return home but debris blocked the road. As I attempted to get closer, I saw something that really shook me — many bodies were stranded among the rubble. It really hit me just how massive the destruction was.

My family members managed to escape. But about 50 people in Ajun village where I lived lost their lives. About one fifth of the houses were destroyed with many others damaged.

Surviving the tsunami and its aftermath taught me resilience and gave me the strength to face challenges. In June 2005, I began working part-time with a humanitarian organization. Since then, I’ve never wanted to do anything else.

As a civil engineering graduate, I became passionate about disaster resilience and committed to helping communities recover and rebuild. This experience is one of the main reasons I chose to work with Habitat for Humanity. I know firsthand how important it is to have safe and resilient homes, infrastructure, and systems that protect people and help them rebuild their lives after a disaster.”

MANILA (Dec. 26, 2024) — Twenty years have passed since the Indian Ocean tsunami struck on December 26, 2004. The deadliest and most destructive tsunami in recorded history killed over 230,000 people and left 2 million people homeless across 14 countries. According to Swiss Re, total losses exceeded US$13 billion and were mostly uninsured.  Indonesia was hit the hardest by the disaster, followed by Sri Lanka and Thailand and India in Asia and the Pacific.

Communities and individuals were also profoundly affected by one of the deadliest disasters in modern history. We share stories of individuals, families, volunteers and Habitat for Humanity staff members for whom the Indian Ocean tsunami left an indelible mark.