10/01/2005 - In the aftermath
of the tsunami disaster, WWF is calling
on governments to support the devastated
communities by ensuring that efforts to
rebuild their livelihoods are environmentally
sustainable.
The call comes as a UN conference on the
vulnerability of small island developing
states gets underway in Mauritius in the
Indian Ocean — the geographical area severely
impacted by the tsunami.
"Healthy ecosystems can save lives,"
said Isabelle Louis, Director of the WWF
Asia Pacific Programme.
"Places that had healthy coral reefs
and intact mangroves, which act as natural
buffers, were less badly hit by the tsunami
than those where the reefs had been damaged
and mangroves ripped out and replaced by
prawn farms and poorly planned beachfront
hotels."
For example, in the Maldives, it is estimated
that the damage from the tsunami could have
been much worse if the government's policy
of protecting the network of coral reefs
that shield the islands from the open sea
had not been so diligent.
As humanitarian needs for food and shelter
are met, WWF calls for long-term green reconstruction
efforts. They should capitalise on natural
defence mechanisms, appropriate coastal
zone planning, rehabilitation of habitats,
and restoration of sustainable livelihoods.
"Poorly planned coastal development
has compounded the impact of the tsunami,”
said Mubariq Ahmad, Head of WWF Indonesia.
"It is vital that we don't make the
mistakes of the past. We need to rebuild
in a sustainable and safe way."
WWF is recommending that coastal developments
are in the future not built within a safety
zone from the high-tide mark, and is calling
for strong coastal zone management policies,
planning and/or better implementation within
the region.
WWF also supports steps to undertake the
tsunami impact and natural disaster risk
assessments. These are vital so that coastal
ecosystems, such as coral reefs, mangroves,
marshes, and forests that buffer the impact
of tsunamis are appropriately rehabilitated
and restored.
While WWF recognises the immediate need
for timber for emergency housing and workplace
needs, it is strongly advocating that timber
for long-term reconstruction efforts should
be harvested from responsibly managed forests.
Indiscriminate logging could contribute
towards other calamities in the future,
such as landslides and flooding.
In the short term, it is also imperative
that the fisheries sector is reconstructed
responsibly as it is the primary source
of livelihood for the thousands of communities
affected by the tsunami.
WWF warns that if devastated communities
are not adequately resourced to regain immediate
access to fishing, there is a real risk
that opportunistic fishing fleets will move
into the region, and further compound their
current plight.
NOTES:
• 37 island nations are attending the UN
conference on Small Island Developing States
from 10-14 January in Mauritius to discuss
challenges from natural disasters to climate
change and threats from HIV/AIDS. It will
discuss as a matter of priority the need
for better preparedness in small islands
against natural disasters such as tsunamis
and cyclones.
• WWF is sending an open letter to key
participants at the UN conference, offering
assistance and support for a green reconstruction
for all nations affected by the tsunami.
• Coral reefs and mangroves are biologically
rich ecosystems that can provide a significant
source of income for local communities to
rebuild their lives.
