BMJ  2006;332 (11 February), doi:10.1136/bmj.332.7537.0-c

Displaced survivors of tsunami had reduced mortality

The 2004 tsunami in the Indian Ocean didn't cause additional mortality among the internally displaced survivors. Nishikiori and colleagues (p 334) conducted a household survey of more than 3500 people from the eastern coastal district of Sri Lanka displaced into 13 camps. Of the total 446 reported deaths, 99% occurred within three days after the tsunami, and none was reported after the first week of the 11 week study period. The authors explain this finding in terms of a "harvesting" effect (the tsunami leaving only the strongest and fittest alive) and possibly successful aid activities.

Credit: ERANGA JAYANARDENA/AP

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Timing of mortality among internally displaced persons due to the tsunami in Sri Lanka: cross sectional household survey

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