...were in the area on vacation when the tsunami hit the coasts, especially from the Nordic countries but also from the UK, and there are several colleagues that have lost family members or are otherwise affected," she adds.

Largely because of underdeveloped nature of affected communities, likely insurance costs are small, according to Amlin PLC., a Lloyd's of London insurer. The big insurers Swiss Re, Zurich, and Munich Re, Germany, estimate their combined exposure at around $220 million.

Largely because of underdeveloped nature of affected communities, likely insurance costs are small, according to Amlin PLC., a Lloyd's of London insurer. The big insurers Swiss Re, Zurich, and Munich Re, Germany, estimate their combined exposure at around $220 million.

Before, after satellite photos of Banda Aceh, Indonesia, show tidal wave's devastation. (Photos © DigitalGlobe)

For insurers, the tsunami ended a costly year when natural disasters caused some $40 billion of losses, according to the companies. Of 650 natural events reviewed by the Munich Re, around 80 were geological and half were weather related. Yet weather caused 90% of losses.

Reconstruction work was running parallel with relief works in parts of the disaster zone. In Thailand, the PTT Exploration and Production Public Company Ltd. was reviewing the entire design of site of a deep-sea port under construction at Tap Lamu when the tidal waves hit. The project is part of an ambitious $7-billion energy land bridge that would connect the coasts on the Andaman Sea and Gulf of Thailand.

Design engineers want to ensure that the infrastructure is able to stand up to a similar or more severe onslaught from nature in future, a senior company official told ENR. Nonetheless, "The tsunami will not affect the project in any way, " he added.

Thailand' s Energy Minister Prommin Lertsuridej said in Bangkok that the structure would be designed to withstand natural disasters of all types and to meet international standards.

The Indonesian town of Meulaboh where an estimated 28,000 people have died, saw the first trucks carrying essentials roll in on Jan. 10. The town had lived off helicopter drops since Dec. 26 till the 50-truck convoy entered it carrying fuel, clothing, tents and food.

Former U.S. President Bill Clinton and Carol Bellamy, executive director of UNICEF, jointly launched on Jan. 11 a $45-million fund to provide safe drinking water and sanitation systems to children and families affected by the tsunami. The fund will finance the construction of emergency latrines and the rehabilitation of urban and rural water supply systems, with a priority for hospitals, health centers and schools, as well as provide equipment to construct basic sanitation facilities.  They are soliciting public donations pointing out a small amount of money goes a long way. It would cost between $20 and $50 to construct one emergency temporary latrine, and $100 to build a durable family latrine with a five-year life span for five people.  It would cost $1,000 to rehabilitate one hand-dug well that could provide 20 liters of water per day for approximately 200 to 500 people, UNICEF said.

At the Andaman and Nicobar islands in India, work has begun for the repairs and reconstruction of small harbors and jetties. The state-run Shipping Corp. of India has lent a helping hand, and made 27 of the affected 49 jetties or berthing positions functional. Three of them— one each at Car Nicobar, Nancowry (Kamorta) and Nancowry—are already receiving ships that have come in from the ports of Chennai, Kolkata, Haldia and Vizag carrying relief supplies, the SCI said.

The cost of repairs and reconstruction to the damaged shipping infrastructure on these islands on the Indian Ocean would be $66 million, SCI said. The tidal waves have left only two of the 30 lighthouses functioning. Damaged jetties and structures include those of Hut Bay Wharf, Campbell Bay and Mus, it said.

In Australia, engineering and construction companies, aid agencies and government departments were due meet in Sydney Jan. 12 to plan their long-term strategic support. The meeting aimed to "initiate a plan to best coordinate and mobilize the engineering activities that we may be called upon to undertake either directly or through agencies," says Andrew Downing, president of the professional institution Engineers Australia.