The Sumatra-Andaman Earthquake and subsequent Asian Tsunami of 26 December 2004 affected multiple countries in the Indian Ocean and beyond, creating disasters of a scale unprecedented in recorded history. Using the Conceptual Framework and terminology described in the Disaster Health Management: Guidelines for Evaluation and Research in the Utstein Style, the hazard, events, and damage associated with the Earthquake and Tsunami are described. Many gaps in the available information regarding this event are present. Standardized indicators and reporting criteria are necessary for research on future disasters and the development of best practice standards internationally.

This is a summary of the proceedings of the Conference on the Health Aspects of the Tsunami Disaster in Asia that was convened by the sunami World Health Organization in Phuket, Thailand from 04–06 May 2005. It contains reviews of the experiences of the health sector and early recovery fol following the Earthquake and Tsunami with emphasis onwhat was done well and what could have been done better and the lessons learned that can be incorporated into actions that will mitigate the damage created by future events. It outlines the national and international responses and recovery and the actions taken and not taken by the international community in support of the countries affected. Specific issuesaddressed include: (1) needs assessments; (2) coordi- coordination; (3) filling gaps in essential services, and (4) capacity building at the country level. Each of these aspects is analyzed as to its: (1) appropriateness; (2) adequacy; (3) effectiveness; (4) efficiency; and (5) connectedness.

Much of what occurred provided benefits to the stricen population, but there is substantial room for improvement through implementation of the lessons learned. These lessons must be converted into actions in order to mitigate the damagesustained and to enhance our responses to the damage from future

This is the text for the Opening Address for the Conference, Health Aspects of the Tsunami Disaster in Asia, convened by the World Health Organization (WHO) in Phuket, Thailand, 04-06 May 2005. The frightening reality of the costs (human and material) must be balanced by what has been and can be learned that, if applied, can make the world more resilient for the next event. At the time of this Conference, we are moving from response to recovery. The immediate conclusion relates to the consequences of the realization of a truly interdependent world. Given the huge resourcesmade available, there is an increased need for accountability. Several factors will bear heavily on the outcomes: (1) risk of loss of momentum; (2) ensuring that no gaps in services occur; (3) ensuring that already marginalized communities do not become forgotten or even more marginalized; (4) support and respect of national leadership; (5) commit to enhanced coordination; and (6) develop mechanisms for joint and shared assessments. The available resources must be used to stablize the livelihoods of people for years. Lastly, the reliability and sustainability of the important contributions of the military and the commercial private sectors for future events must be established

This is a summary of the presentations and discussion of Session 1.2 of the Conference, Health Aspects of the Tsunami Disaster in Asia, convened by the World Health Organization (WHO) in Phuket, Thailand, 04–06 May 2005. The topics discussed included issues related national health perspectives as pertaining to the responses to the damage created by the Tsunami. It is presented in the following major sections: (1) key questions; (2) discussion; (3) what was done well?; (4) what could have been done better?; and (5) what can be done to prepare for the future?.

This is a summary of the presentations and discussion of Health Protection and Disease Prevention of the Conference, Health Aspects of the Tsunami Disaster in Asia, convened by the World Health Organization (WHO) in Phuket, Thailand, 04–06 May 2005. The topics discussed included issues related health protection and disease prevention as pertaining to the responses to the damage created by the Tsunami. It is presented in the following major sections:(1) key questions; (2) national perspectives; (3) an international perspective; (4) laboratory aspects in disease surveillance; and (5) partnership.

This is a summary of the presentations and discussion of Session 1.4, Health Services Delivery: A CriticalReview of Experience, of the Conference, Health Aspects of the Tsunami Disaster in Asia, convened by the World Health Organization (WHO) in Phuket, Thailand, 04–06 May 2005. The topics discussed included issues related to health services delivery as pertaining to the responses to the damage created by the Tsunami. It is presented in the following major sections: (1) needs assessment; (2) coordination; (3) filling of gaps; (4) capacity building; and (5) lessons learned.

This is a summary of the presentations and discussion of Session 1.5 on Health Policy and Coordination: A Critical Review of Experiences during the Conference, Health Aspects of the Tsunami Disaster in Asia, convened bythe World Health Organization (WHO) in Phuket, Thailand, 04–06 May 2005. The topics discussed included issues related to health policy and coordination as pertain to the responses to the damage created by the Tsunami. Key questions were answered in this session, and recommendations were made.

This is a summary of the presentations and discussion of Panel 2.1 of the Conference, Health Aspects of the Tsunami Disaster in Asia, convened by the World Health Organization (WHO) in Phuket, Thailand, 04–06 May 2005. The topics discussed included issues related to assessing needs and measuring impact as pertaining to the responses to the damage created by the Tsunami. It is presented in the following major sections: (1) key questions; (2) assessing needs; (3) measuring impact; and (4) lessons learned and recommendations.

This is a summary of the presentations and discussion of Surveillance, Early Warning Alert and Response at the Conference, Health Aspects of the Tsunami Disaster in Asia, convened by the World Health Organization (WHO)in Phuket, Thailand, 04–06 May 2005. The topics discussed included issues related to the surveillance, early warning alert, and response to communicable and vector-borne diseases as pertaining to the responses to the damage created bythe Tsunami. It is presented in the following major sections: (1) key questions; (2) needs assessment; (3) coordination(4) gap filling; and (5) capacity building. The key questions section is presented in six sub-sections: (1) communicable diseases; (2) early warning; (3) laboratory capacity and referral networking; (4) coordination of disease surveillance, early warning, and response; (5) health infrastructure rebuilding; and (6) using existing national surveillance plans toenhance disease surveillance and early warning systems.

This is a summary of the presentations and discussion of the Gender Dimensions and Human Rights Aspects toResponses and Recovery of the Conference, Health Aspects of the Tsunami Disaster in Asia, convened by the World Health Organization (WHO) in Phuket, Thailand, 04–06 May 2005. The topics discussed included issues related to gender dimensions and human rights pertaining to the responses to the damage created by the Tsunami. It is pr presented in the following major sections: wing (1) gaps encountered and major issues; (2) limitations of response; (3) what could have been done better?; and (4) recommendations.

This is a summary of the presentations and discussion of Funding Policies and Practices of the Conference,Health Aspects of the Tsunami Disaster in Asia, convened by the World Health Organization (WHO) in Phuket, Thailand, 04–06 May 2005. The topics discussed included issues related to funding policies and practices as pertain to the responses to the damage created by the Tsunami. It is presented in the following major sections: (1) issues from the perspectives of (a) donors, and (b) recipients; (2) coordination; (3) conclusions; (4) the size of the response; (5) measuring the Consolidated Appeals Process (CAP) as a financial instrument; (6) other issues; (7) lessons learned; and (8) recommendations. Topics discussed in the other issues section include: (1) data; (2) sustainability; (3) capacity building; (4) unspecified funding; and (5) links to aid for development. Subsections of the lessons learned session include: (1) examining the WHO from the donor perspective; and (2) donor community practices.

This is a summary of the presentations and discussion of Panel 2.5, Mass-Casualty Management and Hospital Care of the Conference, Health Aspects of the Tsunami Disaster in Asia, convened by the World Health Organization in Phuket, Thailand, 04–06 May 2005. The topics discussed included issues related to mass-casualty management and hospital care as pertain to the responses to the damage created by the Tsunami. It is presented in the following major sections: wing (1) key questions; (2) recommendations; and (3) conclusions. Subsections of the conclusion section include: (1) lessons learned; (2) what was done well?; and (3) what could have been done better?.

This is a summary of the presentations and discussion of Panel 2.6, Mental and Psychosocial Effects of the Tsunami on the Affected Populations of the Conference, Health Aspects of the Tsunami Disaster in Asia, convened by the World Health Organization (WHO) in Phuket, Thailand, 04–06 May 2005. The topics discussed included issues related to mental and psychological aspects as pertaining to the damage created by the Tsunami. It is presented in the following major sections: (1) responses; (2) needs assessment; (3) coordination; (4) gap filling; (5) capacity building; (6) stakeholder agreement; and (7) conclusions and recommendations. In the responses discussion, issues included: (1) psychosocial support services; (2) mental health services; and (3) the Thai respoonse. Subsections in the stakeholder agreement section include: (1) public-private partnerships; and (2) preparedness.

This is a summary of the presentations and discussion of Panel 2.7, First 30 Days: Organizing Rapid Response of the Conference, Health Aspects of the Tsunami Disaster in Asia, convened by the World Health Organization (WHO) in Phuket, Thailand, 04–06 May 2005. The topics discussed inc included issues related to organizingrapid responses as pertain to the responses to the damage created by the created Tsunami. It is presented in the following major sections: (1) issues; (2) key questions; and (3) recommendations.

This is a summary of the presentations and discussion by the panel that addressed issues with Water, Sanitation, Food Safety, and Environmental Health during the Conference, Health Aspects of the Tsunami Disaster in Asia, convened by the World Health Organization (WHO) in Phuket, Thailand, 04–06 May 2005. The topics discussed included issues related to water, sanitation, food safety, and environmental health as pertain to the responses to the damage created by the Tsunami. It is presented in the following major sections: (1) needs assessments; (2) institutional capacity and coordination; (3) what was done wel well, and what could have been done better?; and (4) capacity building and preparedness. Topics discussed in the needs assessment section included: (1) water supply; (2) hygiene; and (3) lessons learned. Topics discussed realated to capacity building and preparedness included: (1) waste and vector-bor borne diseases; (2) food safety; (3) nutrition; and (4) environmental health.

This is a summary of the presentations and discussion of Panel 2.9, Repair and Recovery of Health Systemsof the Conference, Health Aspects of the Tsunami Disaster in Asia, convened by the World Health Organization (WHO) in Phuket, Thailand, 04–06 May 2005. The topics discussed included issues related to the repair and recovery of health systems as pertain to the damage created by the Tsunami. It is presented in the following major sections: (1) needs assessment; (2) coordination; (3) filling gaps; (4) capacity building; (5) what was done well, and what should have been done better; (6) lessons learned; and (7) recommendations. Recommendations included: (1) how to make health systems better prepared for coping with disasters; and (2) how to support preparedness in local communities.

This is a summary of the presentations and discussion of Panel 2.10, Reproductive, Mental, and Child Health of the Conference, Health Aspects of the Tsunami Disaster in Asia, convened by the World Health Organization (WHO) in Phuket, Thailand, 04–06 May 2005. The topics discussed included issues related to reproductive, mental, and child health as pertain to the responses to the damage created by the Tsunami. It is presented in the following major sections: (1) background; (2) key issues; (3) discussion; and (4) recommendations. Key issues discussed included: (1) coordination/collaboration; (2) provision of services; and (3) raising awareness and advocacy.

This is a summary of the presentations and discussion of Panel 2.11, Food Security and Nutrition of the Conference, Health Aspects of the Tsunami Disaster in Asia, convened by the World Health Organization (WHO) in Phuket, Thailand, 04–06 May 2005. The topics discussed included issues related to food security and nutrition as pertain to the responses to the damage created by the Tsunami. It is presented in the following major sections: (1) findings; (2) key questions; (3) discussion; and (4) recommendations.