IOM has emerged as one of the key partners in the complicated, multi-agency, inter-governmental response to the 26 December 2004 tsunami in Aceh, and the powerful earthquake which rocked Nias island in neighbouring North Sumatra three months later.
 
The Organization has built on its successful emergency response operations in the immediate aftermath of the twin tragedies to construct thousands of new homes, schools and clinics across the tsunami belt, develop effective livelihood support initiatives and launch exciting community health education programmes in remote and under-serviced areas.