DEVELOPMENTS - Tourism Land-Grabs Mean Thousands of Tsunami Survivors in Sri Lanka, India and Thailand Remain Homeless

eTN, 6-12-2006

The pressure group Tourism Concern welcomes BBC 2’s two-part TV drama ‘Tsunami, The Aftermath’ which raises that most hidden of issues – why local people have not been able to move back home, nearly two years after the 2004 Boxing Day disaster in South East Asia. This is an outstanding opportunity for all of us to finally understand what happened to local people following the tsunami.

Tourism Concern’s report, “Post-tsunami reconstruction: a second disaster?” was the first to reveal back in October 2005 that it was very likely that people would be doubly displaced, first by the tsunami and then by opportunistic tourism development.

Tourism Concern is campaigning for displaced peoples’ rights to the coastal land and their involvement in the reconstruction process. Tricia Barnett, Director, said, “The tourism industry is treating the tsunami aftermath as an financial opportunity. This has resulted in strategic displacement of traditional fishermen communities from the coast and their livelihood. “ She continued, “The ongoing impacts on tsunami survivors, the loss of their livelihoods and natural resources are devastating and need to be addressed”.

In Sri Lanka, India and Thailand there is conflict between the needs of local communities affected by the tsunami and the plans of government and businesses to rapidly promote tourism in the area. Why is coastal land being used for tourism resorts while thousands of people are stuck in temporary housing? The governments of all affected countries prioritized high-end tourism development rather than the needs of local people. Many survivors were ordered by the government to live away from the sea and provided with housing that was too small, hot and inappropriate. Fishermen have been housed two miles inland.

Thai communities have said they are suffering from six ‘tsunamis’: the actual tidal wave; disorganized and divisive aid agencies; intrusive and insensitive press; landlords threatening eviction with violence; religious organizations trying to convert beneficiaries; and researchers and NGOs collecting information without giving any information.

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