It is a tragedy the world has possibly never witnessed before.

In the past, earthquakes have killed thousands of people but scenes as those shown on television these days will remain anchored in our memories for years to come.

The catastrophe that struck south-east Asia last Sunday is unprecedented because it has hit so many countries, so many nationalities, all with one big blow. Nine countries in this region of the world were hit, with the tsunamis doing damage and killing people as far away as Kenya and Somalia on the east African coast. Added to this, so far, people from over 20 other countries have died in the tragedy, while many more were injured or are unaccounted for.

Tiny Malta was also “involved” in the disaster, as more than 100 Maltese were to be found in the areas hit by the earthquake. Some are still to be located.

Those who died because of the earthquake off the island of Sumatra are still being counted. The number could continue to rise as more bodies are found as the sea recedes; others may never be found. Added to this, diseases such as malaria, cholera and dengue fever that could spread as a result of what happened could claim many more.

It is the worst earthquake, in terms of magnitude, in the last 40 years. Last Sunday’s tremor, at 9.0 on the Richter scale, was just below that felt in Alaska in 1964, while the 1960 earthquake in Chile is still, on record, the most powerful since, early last century, seismologist Charles Richter developed the scale that carries his name.

Statistics published by Associated Press show that, so far, last Sunday’s earthquake is the third largest in terms of lives claimed since the 1 September 1923 earthquake in Yokohama, Japan, where 140,000 people died. The worst catastrophe was the earthquake that hit Tangshan, China, on 28 July 1976, when 240,000 people perished.

Strangely, this was the third time that a major earthquake took place on Boxing Day. Apart from this year’s disaster, 41,000 were killed in Iran only last year on St Stephen’s Day when an earthquake hit the southeastern part of this country. In 1939, the day after Christmas saw 33,000 die in Erzincan province in Turkey.

But the earthquake and the devastating tsunamis that followed go beyond statistics. Each of the persons who have died is a tragedy in itself. In most cases, it was the local people who, living near the coast in sub-standard dwellings, were the worst hit as they were carried away, most of them in their sleep, by the waters. Unfortunately, many of these were helpless children.

There is also the financial aspect that needs to be considered. Apart from the physical damage caused to the infrastructure in the countries hit by the earthquake, one must also see what effect this will have on the economy. Some of the areas hit last Sunday depend on tourism for their survival.

The international community, as well as humanitarian organisations, have a big role to play in assisting these countries to first help the injured, secondly to see that the diseases that could spread because of the disaster are contained as much as possible and thirdly to assist these countries, among the poorest in the world, to make a fresh start.

The value of solidarity must be translated from words into action. Many countries have pledged their support to these countries, sending medicinals and other items so much needed following the calamity. Many countries have also sent specialised persons to help.

It is hoped that, with foreign aid, these countries will slowly make it back to normality. At this point in time, this may seem impossible, but there is always light at the end of the tunnel.