Contact: Jim Bishop and Sam Worthington at 202-667-8227 or Robyn Shepherd 267-230-7651

In the two years following the Indian Ocean tsunami, InterAction member organizations working in the affected countries have spent $1.028 billion, or 58 percent, of the $1.8 billion they received from extraordinarily generous individuals, corporations and foundations in the United States since the disaster. A third tsunami accountability report by InterAction describes in detail the relief and reconstruction programs undertaken with these funds by the 46 InterAction members who remained engaged in recovery efforts in 2006. The report can be downloaded at www.interaction.org

The past year has been one of continuing recovery for those affected by the tsunami. Schools, medical facilities and other social infrastructure have been rebuilt. Tens of thousands of people left homeless are once more in homes of their own. Fishermen have new boats, and farmers are back in their fields. Tourism is on the rebound.

However, there have been challenges. The bloody conflict in Sri Lanka has not only impeded recovery programs but has also posed major impediments to humanitarian assistance. Populations have been displaced, and humanitarian workers themselves are at risk. Seventeen employees of Action Against Hunger were murdered earlier this year.

Given the magnitude of the catastrophe, recovery is a multi-year process. In the coming two-to-three year period, InterAction member agencies will have $752 million available to finance their programs. These funds will largely be used to finance the continued building of permanent homes, schools and clinics, as well as, for health services, education, employment generation, and disaster mitigation activities.

The expenditures detailed in the report do not include programs and services conducted by InterAction members with money from the United States government, the United Nations, foreign governments or overseas affiliates of InterAction members.

Members of the press can contact organizational media representatives directly to schedule individual interviews (contact info is listed in the report). The report can be downloaded online at www.interaction.org. Additionally, InterAction President Samuel Worthington will be available for comment.

### InterAction is the largest alliance of U.S.-based international development and humanitarian nongovernmental organizations. Our 165 members operate in every developing country, working with local communities to overcome poverty and suffering by helping to improve their quality of life.

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