Tsunami Relief, Is It Over?

SINGAPORE, Dec 19 (Reuters) - More than $11.4 billion has been raised to rebuild Indian Ocean countries after the Dec. 26th earthquake and tsunami, which killed 231,452 people. It is more than enough to meet the estimated needs. Here are some key facts about the tsunami relief and rebuilding effort. ª U.N. says it was the most generous and most immediately funded international emergency relief effort ever. ª Total damages: $10.73 billion; rebuilding costs: 10.375 billion. ª Number of people displaced: about 1.5 million ª Number of houses needed: 308,000; number built or under construction: 46,000 ª Number of boats destroyed: 103,829 ª Ratio of women and children killed to men: 3:1 No, $11.4 billion won't be nearly enough to rebuild countries affected by the tsunami. Why? Because the countries affected are also among the most corrupt and mismanaged in the world. But it will certainly be enough to line the pockets of "officials," "authorities," "relief workers" and "experts." For a fascinating account of ineffectual and incompetent relief efforts immediately following the tsunami, read the now inactive blog, The Diplomad.