The Asian tsunami of 26 December 2004 was doubly momentous for MapAction volunteers because it triggered the first emergency deployment in our short history.

Mobilised within 48 hours, our team spent three exhausting weeks in Sri Lanka working alongside national and international aid agencies and NGOs.

Our maps helped these oganisations to gain a shared perspective on a disaster of unprecedented scale that had impacted nearly 1,000km of the country's coastline. 

We completed the mission having been moved by the quiet dignity of the Sri Lankan people, and resolved to continue to build MapAction's unique capability to 'make a difference' in future disaster emergencies.

Click on the sub-menu above for maps and other resources related to this deployment.