In response to the December 2004 tsunami disaster, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) launched several programs to initiate post-disaster mitigation and pre-event preparedness. Tetra Tech completed two projects to aid in the rehabilitation of the region and help in establishing early warning system capacity within the Indian Ocean region. The two projects were awarded to the IRG-Tetra Tech joint venture as prime contractor under the USAID funded global Integrated Water and Coastal Resources Management indefinite quantity contract.

A team led by Tetra Tech conducted a needs assessment for Aceh Province, Indonesia, to identify opportunities for rehabilitating environmental damage, restoring coastal ecosystems, restoring livelihoods of coastal communities, and building local planning capacity. Recommendations included planning and constructing feeder roads and other infrastructure with the dual purpose of supporting coastal livelihood development and creating a comprehensive framework for rehabilitating coastal resources. The Tetra Tech-led team detailed specific opportunities grouped into six recommendation themes:

• coastal infrastructure linked to the road
• sustainable coastal livelihoods
• rationalized coastal land use
• accessible information
• education and communication
• integrated coastal management
• strong local institutions

For a second task order with a much broader scope, the team led by Tetra Tech was selected to serve as USAID’s program integrator to provide fi0ld (tsunami-affected countries) and U.S.-based quick response technical assistance, coordination, training, and administrative support for the development and implementation of the Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning System. This two-year program was undertaken so that governments and communities will be able to detect and prepare for tsunamis and related coastal hazards.

The team analyzed and consolidated the results of national assessments of the capacity of 16 countries to implement an effective tsunami warning system. We also have developed and are implementing the Coastal Community Resilience (CCR) tool to improve the preparedness of at-risk communities in Indonesia, Thailand, India, Maldives, and Sri Lanka. The program is a joint undertaking by NOAA, US Forest Serves, and the US Geological Services, and it is funded and led by the USAID Regional Mission in Bangkok