As the Indian Ocean Tsunami marks 18 years, what relief has been available for those who faced the disaster?
When people living in Sri Lanka were enjoying a regular Sunday with their families, a train left Colombo for Galle. This train was packed with people from different walks of life, including children and parents. Everyone full of hope. But at an unexpected time, in an unexpected way, the hopes of these people were washed away along with their lives. On Sunday, the 26th December 2004, the unfamiliar word “Tsunami”, became an unforgettable one when it destroyed 35,000 Sri Lankan lives. The 12.5-meter storm waves overwhelmed the entire coastline from Trincomalee in the eastern district to Negombo on the west coast.
Around 45,000 lives are lost each year due to such disasters that occur all over the world. Friends and family members of the deceased have been affected deeply by such unexpected events. This causes some to even give up hope on life altogether. Is there hope and relief available for them?
Jehovah’s Witnesses help by providing relief in such situations and also try to give hope to those who are in despair. Just type the word “Tsunami” or “Disaster” in the Search box on the website www.jw.org and you will find many examples. Articles on the website such as, “Extreme Weather – Can the Bible Help You to Cope?” and “A World in Turmoil – How Can You Cope?” are designed to also bring comfort to these ones. If you know someone who is depressed because they have faced a similar situation you can find helpful information and resources for free on www.jw.org.
