150,000 dead. Unsuspecting people, just living their daily lives with no intention of defending themselves from this monster. A sudden rush of waves and then instant death and misery in Southeast Asia. Millions left homeless and everyone left in dismay, the deadliest tsunami in the past 40 years.

A tsunami is defined as a series of great sea waves caused by an underwater earthquake, landslide, or volcanic eruption. The Indian Ocean tsunami of December 26th, 2004 caused waves as high as 50 feet (15 meters) in some places, according to news reports. But in many other places witnesses described a rapid surging of the ocean, more like an extremely powerful river or a flood than the advance and retreat of giant waves.

As many as a third of the people who died in the Indian Ocean tsunami were children. Many of them would not have been strong enough to resist the force of the water. Many people were crushed by debris and smashed against structures by the waves. People who were together when the tsunami struck were separated in the tumult. Some survived; others disappeared. Miraculous survival stories surprised people on the opposite side of the world. There were also more heart wrenching stories of how mothers had to choose which child to save and which to let drown.

Across the world the magnitude of the disaster and the enormous death toll led people to lend sympathy, support and assistance for the people affected by the tsunami. Donations, drives, telethons were all sponsored to raise whatever help and awareness they could for the sufferers. The world finally woke up and smelled the roses of gratitude. Finally, the world became one entity to help a common cause. It was a beautiful moment in world history. People of all ages contributed to the cause. A high school student, Serenity Liu, set up a booth at her school carnival and raised $250, collected clothes, canned food, and toys for the victims of the tsunami. She says, “If every person in the world donated a dollar, it would save and provide sustenance for each victim of this horrible tragedy.” A group of children at Townsend Harris High School associated with the Free the Children Foundation raised a great amount of money from a school bake sale promoting the tsunami cause.

It took a disaster for the world to become united but once they did, they were unstoppable. The donations and gestures of support were endless.

So if you want to donate or contribute in any way to the tsunami relief fund, find out about what you can do from your teachers or parents. For more information, visit
https://www.redcross.org/donate/donation-form.asp