We, over 60 women, survivors of the tsunami and activists involved in the tsunami relief and reconstruction efforts, from India, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Malaysia gathered in Banda Aceh in the village of Lambaro Seubun o­n July 25-27, 2005, for the Asian Women�s Consultation o­n Post Tsunami Challenges.

Seven months after the December 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami, affected women continue to be marginalised, discriminated and excluded from the process of rebuilding o­n all levels: the family, the community and the nation.

We met in Aceh realising the significance and challenges women face in the tsunami aftermath.

The Indian Ocean tsunami may have made no distinction between men and women in the grim death toll it reaped with its waves but it has produced some very gender-specific after shocks, ranging from women�s traditional role in caring for the sick to increased cases of rape and abuse.

Women are more vulnerable during disasters and marginalized in their access to relief resources because relief efforts rely o­n existing structures of resource distribution that reflect the patriarchal structure of society.

We, over 70 participants from community-based, national and international non-governmental organizations from the tsunami affected areas in Asia, came together at the Asian Civil Society Consultation o­n Post-Tsunami Challenges in Bangkok, Thailand o­n Feb. 13^th and 14^th, 2005 to discuss the various challenges posed by the disaster of Dec. 26, 2004.

An update o­n the activities of TAG and the situation of Burmesemigrant workers affected by the tsunami in Phang Nga, southern Thailand. The situation is significantly improving for Burmese migrant workersin the tsunami-affected areas, although TAG is still delivering basic relief items to previously unassisted people who continue to be discovered. Many migrants remain in the hill tops, or coconut, rubber and banana plantations. Through coordination with local volunteers,the TAG outreach team travels daily to these communities and is able to serve about 50 migrant workers per week. In order to handle the medical challenges facing migrants, TAG helps migrants to get their health insurance cards re-issued and translates for migrants at the local hospital. In addition, TAG is working with Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF-Belgium) in conducting pubic health workshops to educate and train migrants from 21 different areas o­n basic healthcare and sanitation.

The earthquake which unleashed the killer Tsunami has already claimed nearly 180,000 lives and this figure is rising every day. There is urgent need of help in every form. While relief agencies, individuals and governments are pouring their efforts in the humanitarian efforts in the affected areas, all of us can make a difference and contribute. We have a few links and addresses which may be useful for information o­n how to contribute to the relief efforts.