Westport, Connecticut (December 23, 2008) — In what has become the single largest emergency response in its history, Save the Children continues to assist many thousands of children and their families who survived the devastating earthquake and tsunami that struck Asia and Africa on December 26, 2004.

"Four years after this enormous catastrophe, Save the Children continues to stand by children and family members who survived the disaster in more than 1,000 villages in five countries: Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India, Thailand and Somalia," said Charlotte Petri-Gornitzka, Secretary General of International Save the Children Alliance.

Of nearly $273 million raised worldwide by Save the Children to address the needs of children and families in five countries impacted by the tsunami, 92 percent has been spent, with the remaining funds budgeted for 2009 in support of the agency’s five-year rehabilitation and long-term development plan.

 "While we remain extremely proud of the many lives we helped save during our initial response to the tsunami, today our primary focus is on helping families become more self-sufficient and enabling children to succeed in school,” Petri-Gornitzkasaid. “Thousands of children affected by the tsunami are attending schools we have helped build or repair and are being taught by teachers whom we have helped to train. And many of these children are also benefitting from our health, nutrition and child protection programs.”

Petri-Gornitzka noted that over the past two years the agency also has had considerable success in helping coastal communities in Asia prepare for future emergencies.  "One of the greatest lessons we have learned from the tsunami is the value of being prepared for such disasters,” Petri-Gornitzka said.