The majority of people in Indonesia, the Maldives, Sri Lanka and Thailand who were affected by the December 2004 tsunami were small farmers and fisherfolk who depend on seasonal agricultural, fishing and other income-generating activities, and on home gardens and forests/trees for household items. In an effort aimed at "building back better" in these communities over the long-term, it is imperative to develop multifaceted livelihood rehabilitation strategies with full consideration of the three pillars of sustainability: economic, ecological and social. For this purpose, strategies must be crafted through a carefully designed integrated, multi-sectoral, ecosystem-based approach with appropriate stakeholder participation, and gender and culture-sensitive focus, among others.
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