In 2004, Southeast Asia was devestated by a 9.3 magnitude earthquake. Indonesia, Bangladesh, Thailand, Sri Lanka and Malaysia were all affected. The inital quake and aftershocks tore down buildings and homes. They began massive mudslides that smothered entire villages. Unfortunately, it also awoke an assassin from the sea.
A 100 foot tsunami (tidal wave) ripped through the beaches and mainlands. It laid waste to popular resorts, hotels and marinas. It wiped out areas popular with the elite and Western travelers. Cars, boats and trucks were jettisoned into yards and houses. Tidal waves uprooted trees and other debris. Animals were trapped, and then drowned in flash floods. Thousands of villagers, residents and tourists were washed away.
Over 200,000 people died from the disaster. Red Cross volunteers, and armies from the United States, Great Britian, Australia and those affected spent weeks recovering bodies. Heroically, their efforts saved hundreds of lives. Plus, they assisted in burial and cleanup which staved off epidemics from disease.
For a brief period, the tsunami disaster stopped Sri Lanka’s 30-plus year, civil war. Tamil Tiger rebels and government troops worked together to rescue those trapped by the floods. Militias and army units searched inhabitable areas for the dead, and injured. Their representatives agreed to a long-term, ceasefire. Both forces put aside their differences to save lives. They accompanied emergency personnel to the most obscure locations.
In 2009, the area showed signs of progress. Tourism returned with a vengenance. Oscar-winning actress, Angelina Jolie made repeated visits as a goodwill ambassador. Her Hollywood earnings helped with construction of new schools and hospitals. She along with husband, Brad Pitt displayed genuine kindness in providing material and support for displaced victims. Jolie and Pitt weren’t the only humanitarians.
European supermodel, Petra jumped at the opportunity to lend a hand. She lost her then boyfriend, a fashion photographer, to the tsunami. Rescuers found her clinging to a fallen tree. She was hospitalized for hypothermia and other injuries. She regained her health and returned to Thailand. Petra gave a significant portion of her earnings for the tsunami victims. She, Jolie and Pitt brought attention to an area of the world few people ever knew.
The U.S. committed over $250 million dollars to Southeast Asia’s recovery. Great Britain and other European nations committed billions for rebuilding. Through Hollywood’s generosity, they brought attention to a region rarely seen or heard.
