Today is observed as National Unity Day. Every year, December 26th is commemorated as National Unity Day to refresh the memories of the greatest natural disaster that Maldivians faced before the COVID-19 global pandemic, and to remember the unity and solidarity that Maldivian people showed in overcoming the great challenges the nation faced after that crisis.
On December 26, 2004, following a powerful 9.3 magnitude earthquake near Sumatra, Indonesia and the Andaman Islands, a devastating tsunami formed in the Indian Ocean, hitting several South Asian countries, killing 227,898 people and causing immeasurable losses in infrastructure and economy. In this crisis, 82 Maldivians died and 26 people went missing.
Thus, the tsunami disaster became the largest recorded disaster the Maldives has faced in recent history. Today marks 21 years since this terrible disaster. It was the day when the terrifying tsunami devastated many islands of this small Maldivian nation composed of tiny islands. While this day is commemorated every December 26th as Unity Day, it must be noted that this was the day when Maldivian unity was most visible in recent history – December 26, 2004.
Crisis After 21 Years: Many Islands Still Not Recovered
21 years ago, during the terrifying tsunami that hit Maldivians, 15,000 people lost their homes. 13 islands were evacuated and people had to be relocated to other islands. Approximately one-third of the country’s population was directly affected by this disaster. In the tsunami, 82 people died and 26 went missing.
The hard work of many days by Maldivians to build their lives was destroyed and entire livelihoods were swept away by the tsunami’s giant waves. Many infrastructural facilities were destroyed, and huge economic losses were incurred. Development was set back many years and the work of rebuilding the nation had to begin again. While many people were left homeless, many resorts suffered major damage, with some having to close for long periods. As a result, the Maldivian economy fell back many years into a dark period difficult to recover from.
The economic loss to the Maldives from this crisis reached $460 million, which was 62% of the country’s GDP at the time.
To recover from the massive economic losses, the government at that time sought assistance from many countries around the world. Using the aid provided by international organizations to tsunami-affected countries, the government provided financial assistance to many affected Maldivians.
As 21 years pass since the tsunami, due to the climate-related challenges the Maldives faces, the country has had to prepare more than before. After the 2004 tsunami, the government launched projects incorporating measures to protect against such disasters. Many projects implemented by subsequent governments have been designed to minimize environmental damage. These are important steps taken to protect against such disasters.
Particularly, many housing projects were implemented afterward to provide shelter for those who lost their homes in the tsunami. However, sadly, even as this sad incident reaches its 20th anniversary and this government has come to power, the housing projects that previous governments were implementing for those who lost homes in the disaster have not been completed.
The Unity Seen That Day Has Become History
Within hours of the 2004 tsunami, government agencies, military, and police coordinated to help those in need. Opportunities were opened to provide essential items to those in distress. Drinking water, medicine, food, and clothing were quickly provided to those needing help. Many Maldivians, young and old, participated in this work. That day, the goodness of character and spirit of unity among Maldivian people was unparalleled.
After the tsunami, the nation has been rebuilt over these 21 years with the beautiful example of unity Maldivians showed and the assistance received from various parties. The government’s work to provide housing for tsunami victims has been completed under this government’s leadership. Permanent housing has been assured for those who lost homes in the tsunami.
However, the most important point to note is that 21 years after the 2004 tsunami, the world has faced a much more dangerous and damaging global pandemic.
In the dangerous COVID-19 pandemic, the Maldives’ economy has completely collapsed. It has fallen into an almost irrecoverable abyss. More than 200 Maldivians have died from this disease. Many have lost jobs and become impoverished. The nation has been in crisis.
However, what must be noted is that after suffering human, economic, social, and other major losses from the tsunami 21 years ago, the unity seen in recovering from that great crisis is not visible today. Not even a fraction of that unity is seen in today’s society. The unity and thinking that emerged across the nation in rebuilding after that day has completely disappeared.
Instead, even in such difficult and sad times, what is visible in Maldivian society is division. Corruption and immorality. One group insulting another, destroying them, and showing arrogance. There is no compassion from one group toward another, no assistance, no thinking or vision to overcome the challenges the nation faces today.
Those days have become history. Indeed, it is certain that the nation is in such a low state that it deserves sorrow and tears.
