It has been almost a decade since a tsunami, triggered by a 9.0 magnitude earthquake, killed more than 220,000 people in a dozen nations in southeast Asia on Dec. 26, 2004. In the weeks, months and years after the disaster, the Church went to work in the nations. The efforts — fueled by the fast offerings from members who responded to a request from the First Presidency — marked the first time the Church offered long-term assistance after a disaster.
Major Church projects included:
• The construction of 15 schools, including the training of new teachers.
• The building of 902 homes.
• The construction of three community centers.