People across Asia are marking the fourth anniversary of the devastating Indian Ocean tsunami.
Mourners prayed, lit candles and gathered for informal commemorations of the thousands of people who were killed in the 2004 disaster. Nearly a quarter of a million people, from Indonesia to India, were killed by the tsunami that hit four years ago Friday. Houses were destroyed, and entire communities were wiped out.
A Red Cross official, Jerry Talbot, special representative for tsunami recovery, told VOA Friday that many people have still not recovered from the disaster's emotional and physical impact.
But the Red Cross also said tremendous progress has been made in rebuilding homes, hospitals and schools across Asia, creating new communities to replace those lost in the flood.
So far, more than four million people have received assistance from the Red Cross. The agency said it expects to finish its work by the end of 2010 - spending a total of more than $2.5 billion.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP, and AP.
