Two decades after the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami devastated coastal communities, humanitarian organizations gathered in Colombo to commemorate the tragedy and reaffirm their commitment to disaster resilience.

The 20th Year Remembrance of the Tsunami and the Caritas Sri Lanka Partners’ Forum, held on February 18-19, 2025, brought together global leaders in relief and rehabilitation to reflect on the progress made and the challenges that remain.

Hosted by Caritas Sri Lanka – SEDEC with the support of Caritas Internationalis, the event honoured the victims of the disaster while serving as a platform for discussions on long-term disaster preparedness and humanitarian efforts. The gathering emphasized the critical role of collaboration in rebuilding communities and mitigating the impact of future calamities. A key focus of the event was on the advancement of early warning systems, disaster risk reduction strategies, and community preparedness, ensuring that vulnerable communities are better equipped to respond to future disasters.

Championing Caritas India’s commitment and contributions, Fr. Antony Fernandes, Executive Director, highlighted the organization’s significant role in post-tsunami relief and long-term rehabilitation efforts. Caritas India was at the forefront of immediate disaster response, providing food, dry rations, medical supplies, WaSH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) kits, and temporary shelters, benefiting nearly 90,000 households across Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Caritas India supported long-term rehabilitation by building 15,553 disaster-resilient shelters and providing 4,805 boats and 27,513 fishing nets to restore livelihoods. It set up skill development centres, organized 65 health camps for 17,810 individuals, and offered psychosocial support to 3,896 survivors, ensuring community resilience and sustainable recovery.

The 20 Years of Tsunami initiative serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of sustained efforts in disaster response, preparedness, and resilience-building. Caritas India continues to work with national and international partners to support vulnerable communities, advocate for disaster preparedness, and promote long-term recovery efforts.