WASHINGTON, DC -- In response to the devastating earthquake and tsunami of December 2004 that struck Asian and African countries, governments from the hardest hit countries, private voluntary organizations and American companies most active in tsunami reconstruction came together yesterday, May 12, in Washington, D.C. This private sector summit on post-tsunami rehabilitation and reconstruction was the first meeting of its kind to identify vehicles for channeling the large amount of unallocated tsunami recovery assistance pledged by American corporations to specific projects. Participants discussed how the governments of the affected countries can work more effectively with companies and NGOs to get assistance where it is needed most.

It was announced, yesterday, at the Summit that American companies have pledged and generated $528 million in cash and in-kind contributions to support these efforts.

Organized by Asia Society, The Asia Foundation, the United States-ASEAN Business Council and the United States Chamber of Commerce, the Summit's attendees included representatives from over 75 U.S. and foreign companies, including ExxonMobil Corporation, Pfizer Inc., Boeing, General Electric and Morgan Stanley. Over 50 NGOs were also represented, including the American Red Cross, Catholic Relief Services, Oxfam, Save the Children, and Americares.

Richard Holbrooke, Chairman of Asia Society, and Douglas Bereuter, President of The Asia Foundation both emphasized in their remarks to Summit attendees the importance of long-term commitment in the post-tsunami effort, shifting the relief phase to the hard work of rehabilitation and reconstruction. Lieutenant General (Ret) Dan Christman, Senior Vice President, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, indicated that the Chamber, "will continue the ongoing discussion with American business about how assistance for rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts can best encourage economic development and diversification in affected countries, and, importantly, highlight best practices and lessons learned from public-private partnership efforts which can be used as models for economic development in other regions of the world."

Senior Advisor to the President of Sri Lanka and Chairman of the Task Force for Rebuilding the Nation (TAFREN), Mano Tittawella observed that, "Sri Lanka was overwhelmed by the generosity demonstrated by the international community in the aftermath of the Dec 26th tsunami and was particularly encouraged by the tremendous response of U.S. corporations and foundations, which was in the highest tradition of corporate social responsibility." Mr. Tittawella continued, "The Government of Sri Lanka together with the donor community had developed a comprehensive reconstruction plan for Sri Lanka on a sectoral basis, that covers all the affected districts in the North, East and South of Sri Lanka. Over 80% of the resources needed for reconstruction had already been pledged and in most cases MOUs [Memorandum of Understanding's] have also been signed. We are hopeful that the partnership established today with corporate America would ensure the successful completion of this massive undertaking." He added, "it is the Sri Lanka Government's expectation, that implementation of this task would not only restore infrastructure and livelihoods to our people, but would also serve as a catalyst in moving the peace process forward."

Former Presidents George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton, the Co-Chairs of U.S. Private Sector Tsunami Relief, addressed the Summit, discussing their trip to the region in March, the efforts the American people have made to relieve the suffering of the tsunami victims and help them rebuild their lives, and the hard work that lies ahead in completing the task. President Clinton urged corporate America and the NGO community to release funds now to meet urgent rehabilitation needs rather than waiting for the completion of government planning.

Deputy Secretary of State Robert Zoellick, who returned from a ten-day trip to Southeast Asia on May 11, described his impressions of the current situation and the impressive efforts of the governments in the region to deal with the aftermath of the tsunami. He also urged the private sector and non-governmental organizations to continue to combine efforts with the U.S. Government to offer straightforward, effective ways in which we can collectively make a contribution.

Indonesia's chief representative, Sri Mulyani Indrawati, Minister of National Development Planning and Chairperson of the National Planning Agency, described her government's new structure for post tsunami reconstruction. She was joined by Azwar Abubakar, Acting Governor of Aceh and Vice Chairman of the Executing Agency for Rehabilitation and Reconstruction of Aceh and Nias. Thailand's delegation leader was H.E. Kantathi Suphamongkhon, Minister of Foreign Affairs. The representative from the Maldives was Abdullah Kamaludeen, Minister of Fisheries and Agriculture and Acting Minister of Environment and Construction. Mr. Mano Tittawella was Sri Lanka's representative.

About the Private Sector Summit on Post-Tsunami Reconstruction and Rehabilitation

On December 26, 2004, Asian and African countries around the Indian Ocean suffered one of the most devastating natural disasters in memory when an earthquake and tsunami struck with dramatic force, killing several hundred thousand and leaving hundreds of thousands homeless. It quickly became clear that human tragedy was compounded by unimaginable destruction of entire communities. There was an immediate outpouring of generosity on an impressive scale by the public and private sectors, providing critical relief for survivors. But it is clear that rehabilitation and reconstruction on a massive scale will be necessary in the months and years to come.

The Private Sector Summit on Post-Tsunami Reconstruction and Rehabilitation was held, yesterday, May 12, 2005, at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in Washington, D.C. The Summit focused on the role of the U.S. private sector in post-tsunami assistance and provided a forum for representatives of those countries most deeply affected by the tsunami to meet with corporate representatives and Non-Governmental Organizations to provide support and seek solutions for the next phase of rehabilitation and reconstruction. The Summit was co-hosted by The Asia Foundation, Asia Society, the U.S. ASEAN Business Council and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Funding for the Summit was generously supported by The Coca-Cola Company, Evergreen International Aviation Inc., ExxonMobil Corporation and Pfizer, Inc.

Asia Foundation, The

Asia Foundation, The

About The Asia Foundation

The Asia Foundation is a non-profit, non-governmental organization committed to the development of a peaceful, prosperous, just, and open Asia-Pacific region. The Foundation supports programs in Asia that help improve governance, law, and civil society; women's empowerment; economic reform and development; and international relations.

Drawing on more than 50 years of experience in Asia, the Foundation collaborates with private and public partners to support leadership and institutional development, exchanges, and policy research.

With offices throughout Asia, an office in Washington, D.C., and its headquarters in San Francisco, the Foundation addresses these issues on both a country and regional level. In 2008, the Foundation provided more than $87 million in program support and distributed over one million books and educational materials valued at $41 million throughout Asia. For more information, visit www.asiafoundation.org.

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