In Issue 84

On 26 December 2005, our planet shuddered as huge forces that had been building up deep in the Earth for hundreds of years were released suddenly, shaking the ground violently. The epicentre of the magnitude 9.0 earthquake was under the Indian Ocean near the west coast of the Indonesian island of Sumatra. The violent movement of the Earth's tectonic plates displaced an enormous amount of water, sending powerful shock waves in every direction, with a series of killer waves speeding across the Indian Ocean. When the Tsunami hit the shore of Banda Aceh, it had devastating effect - killing more than 150,000 people, destroying buildings and leaving thousands homeless.

One of the reasons why the Tsunami had such devastating effect is because in recent years shoreline natural barriers such as mangrove and sand dunes have been removed, while coral reefs have been destroyed to make way for shipping. For example it is thought that one reason why the islands of the Maldives suffered relatively less damage from the Tsunami is because they were protected from the full force by outlying coral reefs.

Modern communication methods meant that people worldwide could follow the Tsunami disaster story as it was revealed. The magnitude of the disaster and the scale of the suffering prompted a new wave of sympathy and support for the people recovering from the effect of the Tsunami. Like many charities, Bees for Development Trust received donations from our supporters, and this money has now been put to good use — replanting mangrove along the Banda Aceh shoreline. Our cover picture shows some of these mangrove plants — now two years old and on their way to providing useful vegetation — and in the fullness of time — a good source of forage for bees too. All species of mangrove (Avicennia) produce abundant nectar that provides a light coloured and delicious honey. We hope that some future Banda Aceh beekeepers will benefit from these multi-purpose mangrove plantations. This work in Banda Aceh is being undertaken in cooperation with Dr Rosmaidar Djafruddin and Azhar Gani of Yayasan Pengembangan Sumberdaya Alamdan Pemberdayaan Masyarakat (Sustainable Development for Natural Resources and Community Empowerment Foundation).

Nicola Bradbear, Director Bees for Development

Bees for Development

1 Agincourt Street, Monmouth NP25 3DZ, UK Tel: +44 (0)1600 714848 info@beesfordevelopment.org www.beesfordevelopment.org