The Effects of the 2004 Tsunami

On 26th December 2004, a 'tsunami' devastated the coasts of South-East Asia. Could anything have been done to prevent or mitigate this disaster? Discuss the response from the rest of the world and the political repercussions of this catastrophe.
On the 26th of December 2004 an earth quake off the coast of Indonesia caused a tsunami which struck the coastline of 17 nations in Southeast Asia (2004 Tsunami Map, 1). Causing thousands to be killed and displaced from their homes, the devastation stretched from Sumatra to Somalia. This has been the greatest natural disaster of our time, killing more than 300,000 people and overwhelming thousands of square kilometres of land. Its waves reached the astounding height of 30 meters.
Indonesia suffered the highest death toll; various coastal villages were wiped out, and more than 70% of their population was killed. Sri Lanka was one of the most devastated countries together with Indonesia.…