Ten years ago, a disaster of epic proportions devastated several countries in Asia. The 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami killed over 230,000 people in a single day, while over 45,000 people still remain missing.
For many, it was the first time they’d heard the word tsunami.
When I heard the news, I was at home in the United Kingdom with my family. I was working as director of the BBC World Service and we became a lifeline to many communities as we broadcasted news of the tsunami’s impact in multiple Asian languages.
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About the author
Nigel Chapman
Nigel Chapman is the chief executive officer of Plan International. Prior to Plan, he held various senior positions in news and current affairs with the BBC, spanning more than 30 years. He was the director of the BBC World Service and was the first director of BBC Online. He also served as the chair of BCC World Service Trust, the service's charitable arm, which uses communications and new technologies to aid development in some of the world's poorest countries.
