Two years after a devastating tsunami struck many communities around the Indian Ocean, the World Chambers Federation applauds and encourages the on-going efforts of chambers and business groups to help communities restore their towns and rebuild their livelihoods.

The tsunami killed over 300,000 people and left more than 1.5 million displaced or homeless. Many coastal communities in several countries experienced massive destruction making the transition from emergency relief to reconstruction very difficult.

“The provision of emergency resources provides short-term relief to such disasters but victims also need long-term solutions and committed support to help rebuild self-sustainable communities,” said Rona Yircali, Chair, World Chambers Federation “Reviving businesses, through systematic assistance programs, has restored confidence and a sense of ‘normal life’ for many communities”.

Chambers of commerce have been well-placed to bring business communities back to life given their important role furthering the economic development of small- and medium-sized business. Chambers have supported projects in fishing, tourism, community service, and other industrial and services sectors.

The Austrian Federal Chamber has been a leader in many of the hardest hit communities. In Indonesia, working with a range of funding and reconstruction partners, several business projects started include tile and brick manufacturing; a textile workshop employing women to make school uniforms; and microcredit funding to small-scale traders dealing in locally-made traditional handicrafts.

On 15 December, in partnership with the Phuket Provincial Administration and a 500 000 euro reconstruction fund, the Austrian Chamber celebrated the opening of a library, a medical clinic, a community centre and a handicraft centre.

In Sri Lanka, local chambers of commerce have been active in rebuilding their communities. One very successful example, the Federation of Chamber of Commerce & Industry of Sri Lanka’s Back to Business Project is working to rehabilitate 10 000 stricken small- and medium-sized enterprises. Within two years, this project has reached 80% of its goal, which includes ultimately creating 50 000 jobs. Twenty-eight percent of the companies set up are headed by women.

Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, working with the United Nations Development Programme, has established a micro enterprise financial assistance scheme, helping more than 300 entrepreneurs with financial assistance and business development support via the Galle, Matara, Hambantota and Trincomalee District Chambers of Commerce.

In Thailand, the Thai Bankers Association, with the Thai government, eased short- and medium-term lending to affected businesses, to grant loans for rebuilding. A venture capital fund was created with the Stock Exchange of Thailand and the Government Savings Bank to strengthen the capital of businesses so they can qualify for low-interest loans.

For more information on these or other chamber projects,  click here .