Liberal Democrat nominated Short Debate "Tsunami - Wales' Role"

Speech by Michael German OBE AM delivered to The National Assembly for Wales on Wed 12th Jan 2005

On Boxing Day, a disaster hit this planet on a scale beyond anything that we have seen in many years, certainly during most of my lifetime. An earthquake beneath the sea sent a wall of water that wreaked destruction for thousands of kilometres around. This catastrophe has prompted a response from the people of Wales that is equally awesome in its scale. In a time of great need, the people of Wales have proved themselves to be friends indeed to the people of south Asia and beyond. The tidal wave hit 13 countries, and the death toll is now more than 150,000 and will possibly reach 200,000. Five million or more people are homeless, with many also left without a livelihood, and some 453 Britons are presumed dead, with thousands missing.

The aid effort from the British people is almost unprecedented: the total amount raised through voluntary fund-raising is set to reach £100 million, with £7.5 million of that coming from Wales. In its 40-year history, the Disasters Emergency Committee has run around 50 appeals, which is more than one per year. This one is by far the most successful.

The Welsh aid effort has been as impressive as it was swift. The compassion shown by people across Wales is remarkable and moving, and is a tribute to the Welsh people. The Millennium Stadium is to be congratulated on its remarkably quick work in organising a concert of such quality at such speed.

It is vital that we support communities in Wales affected by the disaster: not just those who have lost friends and relatives holidaying in the area, but those from south-Asian communities. We must also not forget those whose friends and relatives have been caught up in other disasters. Before 26 December, the famine in Sudan was uppermost in many minds. Sudan has not changed in the slightest as a result of the tsunami, although the recently agreed ceasefire may help the situation.

I chose this subject in order to look at the long-term situation and to ask some difficult questions about Wales's role in responding to emergencies of this kind. First, do we need a Welsh branch of the Disasters Emergency Committee? Would that help monetary and other assistance from Wales to be pulled together more effectively? Would it help to bring together the voluntary sector, non-governmental organisations, aid agencies and the Assembly in the way that we have seen during the past 10 to 15 days? I hope, for example, that twinning would be promoted as a sustainable response. Looking on a small scale and on a project-by-project basis, this could instill a great deal of enthusiasm in communities in Wales for sustainable long-term aid.

The Scottish Executive, which, like Wales, does not have formal devolved responsibility for overseas aid and development, has seconded staff to aid the relief work. Eleven members of staff from the Scottish Executive are working with charities in Edinburgh, and one is in Sri Lanka taking on administrative duties to free up local staff to work on the ground. Perhaps a Welsh international emergencies body would enable such things to happen here—not only would this allow Wales to offer concrete aid, it would also give our staff an opportunity to develop their skills. The Scottish Executive has also formally included ministerial responsibility for overseas development as part of a portfolio, and the First Minister might like to consider that.

A Welsh international emergencies body would not have to be led or directed by the National Assembly or the Welsh Assembly Government; it would be perfectly appropriate for the Welsh Assembly Government to act as a facilitator to enable people to come together, and to preserve its provider role, when asked. It is crucial in the longer term that we do not forget the needs of the people affected by this disaster, because as soon as the television cameras stop covering the disaster, there is a tendency for us to do that.

We know that assistance with economic development is the best long-term aid that we can offer. In Sri Lanka, many livelihoods depend on the textile industry, and it is much better to buy such goods locally and avoid dumping products on a fragile local economy. A change in the World Trade Organisation's rules this year could have a devastating effect on the economy of some of the smaller textile-trading nations of the world, such as Sri Lanka, which has been so badly affected by the tsunami. Tourism has been the staple economy of some of the countries and regions affected, and their governments are calling for the tourists to keep coming. The biggest disservice that western donors who have given so generously can do the area is to abandon it as a holiday destination. The long-term response must be to help communities to rebuild in the way that they know best—we should support them, not direct them. I will conclude with the words of a Sri Lankan aid worker, who wrote in an e-mail:

'Feelings of guilt exist among many survivors. Pain and trauma need to be addressed. Compel Governments and non-governmental organisations to move from immediate relief to rebuilding. Focus on sustained action so that people can rebuild their lives and their communities.'

Every year, the Assembly discusses its commitment to sustainable development. I hope that this debate will provide an opportunity to reflect on how we can assist with sustainable redevelopment in an area touched by tragedy on a scale that defies our comprehension.