Minister for Manpower Mr Tan Chuan-Jin launched the Singapore Red Cross’ (SRC) photo exhibition, 2004 Asian Tsunami: Ten years on at the National Library on 15 December 2014. A collaborative effort by SRC and three photojournalists, Hoe Pei Shan, Irvin Tan and Carlo Heathcote, in commemoration of the 10th anniversary of the Great Indian Ocean Tsunami, the public exhibition features tsunami survivors in Indonesia, Sri Lanka and the Maldives and their inspirational stories.

In the immediate aftermath of the tsunami, SRC provided emergency relief assistance and deployed medical teams to Aceh and Sri Lanka. The Singapore Government and the People of Singapore contributed close to S$89 million for the Tidal Waves Asia Fund – the largest donation ever received in the history of SRC. The Singapore Red Cross, in collaboration with the Singapore Government, other Singapore NGOs, various religious institutions and clan associations successfully implemented 69 projects covering healthcare, education, housing and community, economic recovery and livelihood in Indonesia, Maldives and Sri Lanka, in an effort the SRC Chairman Mr Tee Tua Ba, considers “a truly ‘Team Singapore’ undertaking.”

Recognising SRC’s relief efforts in various international disasters, Minister Tan said, “I commend the Singapore Red Cross for forging better people-to-people relations through its recovery and rebuilding programmes in disaster-afflicted countries.”

Recounting his stint as the Commander of the Singapore Armed Forces’ (SAF) Humanitarian Assistance Task Force in Meulaboh, Indonesia, Minister Tan said, “Back then, the western coast of Aceh was ravaged by the earthquake and tsunami and was largely inaccessible in the aftermath of the disaster. Meulaboh was the worst hit and our SAF Humanitarian Assistance Support Group focused our efforts there. Our task was to provide emergency relief for the people of Aceh and to help stabilise the situation.”

“Recently, a decade after the disaster, I visited Aceh and saw the progress made there. I visited several memorials, one of which was a boat which ran ashore and another was a ship that landed on top of two residential houses. When I spoke to some of the locals, I was struck by the resilience of those who lost their family members in the tragedy; their ability to transform their initial pain and despair to strength, hope and courage in times of adversity,” he added.

“If the Asian tsunami was a test of one’s character, the survivors in these communities have emerged tougher and stronger through the adversity. Through these photos, we witness the inner strength of the people; their resilience and perseverance to rebuild their lives and reignited passions to pursue their dreams,” said Mr Tee.

The launch event saw the gathering of groups and individuals who had played different but vital roles in rebuilding lives in the aftermath of the disaster. Attendees included the Tsunami Reconstruction Facilitation Committee members who managed the Tidal Waves Asia Fund, implementing partners of rebuilding projects, as well as volunteers previously deployed for humanitarian missions.

The Photo Exhibition, 2004 Asian Tsunami: Ten years¹ on is open to the public till 30 December, 10am to 9pm daily, at the National Library – Level 8 Promenade. Admission is free.

¹ – National Library Board is the venue sponsor and AVS Printing Pte Ltd is the print sponsor of the event.