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Maumoon Abdul Gayoom describes the effect of the tsunami on his country, and warns that global warming poses an even greater threat to environmental security |
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On 26 December 2004, we woke up to witness the terrible reality of our environmental fragility. The tsunami created by the Sumatra earthquake that morning swept through the entire archipelago of the Maldives with awesome fury, taking lives, devastating infrastructure, crippling our economy and washing away decades of hard work and toil of our people. This disaster was indeed unprecedented – the first of its kind, and the worst natural calamity ever experienced in the Maldives.
Daunting challenges We have embarked on the formidable tasks of providing emergency relief, rebuilding our lives and livelihoods, and reconstructing our nation. These are daunting challenges indeed: 82 people are known to have died and 26 are missing, and 13 islands had to be completely evacuated. Over 15,000 people have been left homeless and many are facing food and water shortages. Our tourism and fishing industries have been crippled. Of the 87 resorts, 19 had to be closed. These need major reconstruction to operate again. Many islands lost their fishing boats, ruining their primary livelihood asset. The total damage is estimated at well over $1 billion.
As our current focus is on relief and rehabilitation, we have not yet had the opportunity to assess the impact of the disaster on our fragile environment. The signs, however, are ominous. Our island vegetation is gradually dying as a result of the flooding and intrusion of salt water into the groundwater. Any loss of vegetation would further increase the environmental vulnerability of our tiny islands. Even more importantly, according to scientists, our fresh groundwater reservoirs may require several years of rain to recover, replenish and be drinkable.
The tsunami disaster has united the world in a way we have not witnessed for a long time: this unity should be harnessed to create mechanisms to deal with future environmental calamities. It has also shown that ecological catastrophes do not stop at national borders and that they are more damaging to small island states. Thirteen countries on two continents were directly affected by the tsunami, and a number of other nations lost their citizens in the disaster. At this time of global mourning, let us be more strident in forging a global partnership to deal with our common environment
Maumoon Abdul Gayoom is President of the Republic of Maldives. PHOTOGRAPH: Jochen Tack/Still Pictures |
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