Challenger

On December 26, 2004, South Asia and the world at large were hit by one of the most destructive forces on the plannet. Deadly tsunamis hit over twelve countries in South Asia including India and Sumatra.

There was an estimated 5 million people hit by the tsunamis and over 150,000 were found dead. The U.S. Secretary of State, Colin Powell went to Thailand and reported that 4,000-5,000 Americans are unaccounted for and at least 15 were declared dead. The fatality rate is far beyhond those that were killed in the Hiroshima bombing in 1945.
Afraid of spreading diseases, many of the bodies were buried in mass graves, and survivors of all religions banned together to hold services and ceremonies for those who were killed.

More importantly than the mass numbers who were killed, the survivors of this catastrophe are in severe need. Relief teams from all across the world have been sent to help out the survivors. Japan, along with many other countries, has sent soldiers and aircrafts to help this disaster.

Relief has also taken form in donations. The leaders from the nations hit and other world donors have met to set up “an unprecedented $2 billion dollar global relief operation... and ambitious plan to set up an Indian Ocean tsunami warning system.” (www.abcnews.com) The Red Cross and many celebrities such as: Coby Bryant, Leonardo Decaprio, and Sandra Bullock have made donations to help out the survivors that were left behind in this tragedy.