Email 
Print 
International Federation (p-MDV0107)
At 9.23 on the morning of 26 December
2004, the tsunami swept across Maldives
flooding all but nine islands of the
archipelago. When the floodwaters
receded and emergency operations got
underway, it was confirmed that 82
people died, 26 went missing, 1,313 were
injured, and over 15,000 lost their
homes. One of the most affected islands
was Kandholhudhoo, in Raa Atoll; the
deadly waves had washed the entire
island, extensively damaging houses and
buildings, and contaminating groundwater.
The more than 3,600 inhabitants of
Kandholhudhoo were left homeless and had
to evacuate.
REF:
International Federation (p-MDV0109)
Kandholhudhoo, Maldives, 26 December
2004. Aerial view of the magnitude of
the destruction in Kandholhudhoo. hree
people lost their lives and everyone had
to abandon their densely populated homes
to seek temporary shelter on five
neighbouring islands in the Raa Atoll.
That was three years ago, and the
citizens from Kandholhudhoo are still
living in IDP camps while they wait for
their new homes to be built on
Dhuvafaaru.
REF:
Simon Turner/International Federation (p18422)
Abandonned houses in Kandholhudhoo. The
island was totally destroyed by the
tsunami and all the former Kandholhudhoo
community (3600 persons) was displaced
to transitional shelters on Alifushi,
Hulhudhuffaru, Maduvvari, Meedhoo and
Ungoofaaru islands of Raa Atoll.
REF:
International Federation (p18818)
Another ghost street on the deserted
island of Kandholhudhoo. Kandholhudhoo
is abandoned now, effectively wrecked by
the tsunami.
REF:
Simon Turner/International Federation (p18424)
The abandonned school of Raa
Kandholhudhoo. It's an impressive sight
from the sea, the new four-storey school
giving it a cityscape appearance. On
shore, a fish-processing business has
started, which will move with the
internally displaced peoples to a new
base on Dhuvaafaru, their new home
island.
REF:
International Federation (p18688)
Kandholhudhoo is abandoned now,
effectively wrecked by the tsunami. Many
older buildings were smashed to pieces
by the tsunami; newer ones have started
to deteriorate.
REF:
International Federation (p18689)
Ali Ibrahim, is a traditional healer,
whose skills have been passed on to him
down through the generations. Since the
tsunami his services have been in high
demand, particularly for a potion he
makes with rose petals and spices that
eases depression. "There are a lot of
psychological wounds here. People have
nightmares or get frightened when they
hear a loud noise.
On the day of the tsunami Ali was out
fishing for sea cucumbers - which have
made his family wealthy and enabled Ali
to provide free consultations - when the
boat's communication system crackled
into life warning that there were severe
problems on Kandholhudhoo, their home
island. As they returned to port
survivors clambered aboard and told them
about the unfolding calamity.
REF:
Simon Turner/International Federation (p18418)
Installation to dry fish in
Kandholhudhoo, the island was totally
destroyed by the tsunami and all the
former Kandholhudhoo community is now
relocated in Dhuvaafaru.
Two of the most important industries in
the Maldives, tourism and fishing,
suffered significant damage in the
tsunami disaster. In addition to the
loss of tourism, fishing equipment and
agricultural land, many families also
lost their entire life savings. Helping
thousands of Maldivians to get back to
work and providing possibilities to
build resilience through new income
generating activities is a critical task.
REF:
[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]
