The tsunami that struck Asia on 26 December 2004 was one of the worst disasters in recent history. Sri Lanka was among the countries hardest hit, compounding the effects of 20 years of civil war. The tsunami became the most rapidly and generously funded disaster response in history, with $13.5 billion pledged or donated for relief and reconstruction. Once immediate needs were met, finding permanent shelter and rebuilding destroyed or damaged houses soon became a key concern. A proliferation of aid actors led to massive challenges in coordinating the response and large numbers of actors became involved in support to permanent housing (TEC 2006). The total financial commitment of the Swiss Consortium (SC) to housing reconstruction was around CHF 21 million that provided support to more than 10,500 households in two districts, Matara in the south and Trincomalee in the north east to rebuild their homes. Over 90% of the SC funds went directly as payments to beneficiaries and field operations. Personnel support costs were 9.7%, an impressively low figure.
