Greetings from Disaster Watch!!!

As we mark three years after of tsunami response we are pleased to release the Tsunami Update December 2007 issue with a focus on "Three Years after the Tsunami: Grassroots Women Build Resilience".

This newsletter highlights the practical action by women and communities towards the better future after the tsunami.

While experts puzzle over how to connect emergency response to recovery and then to disaster reduction, Ordinary women have led a silent revolution that has used recovery path to build long term resilience and development in their communities.

Poor women in tsunami affected areas have led practical action by improving access to education health, water, sanitation services, mobilised savings and credit groups, restored and diversified livelihoods.Wherever supported by mainstream institutions, women's collectives have led community resilience efforts and gained strategic recognition and resources for disaster risk reduction by partnering with local goverments.The result synergies and enhanced "social cohesion" - social networks and organisations that will work for tomorrow, beyond projects.

We opened this issue with the excerpts from an address by Prof. Vinod Menon, Member, National Disaster Management Authority, Government of India.

"On the eve of the third anniversary marking the tsunami devastation, we are deeply aware that 400 million people constitute our coastal communities and their lives, livelihoods and security depends on our humane understanding, insights and application of mind."

We also bring you reports, news and initiatives from the field-organisations, countries and International agencies.

This newsletter can be accessed at: http://www.disasterwatch.net/tsunamiupdatedec07.pdf

We welcome your valuable feedback and continued interaction.

Wishing all readers a Peaceful New Year 2008!!!

Prema Gopalan Global Facilitator Thematic Campaign on Community Resilience GROOTS International and Huairou Commision www.huairou .org www.groots.org www.disasterwatch.net

For more information, write: P. Chandran Disaster Watch C/o Swayam Shikshan Prayog E: disasterwatch@gmail.com M: +91-9341229702 http://www.disasterwatch.net