The devastation of the 2004 tsunami stretched across the Pacific Ocean . According to UNICEF and Oxfam , the response to the tsunami and the lessons learned have changed the way they deal with such emergencies . Hundreds of thousands left homeless , and poor and isolated communities worse off . Humanitarian groups have helped rebuild schools , homes , and get generators working . They say long - term improvement of health and education is critical .
The devastation of the 2004 tsunami stretched across the Pacific Ocean . Hundreds of thousands left homeless , and poor and isolated communities worse off . Humanitarian groups have helped rebuild schools , homes , and get generators working . They say long - term improvement of health and education is critical .