The Tsunami Recovery Network has produced a report on recovery programmes and progress made in the regions stricken by the December disaster.

The report shows how, six months on, the $8.5bn pledged in aid has been allocated, what has already been spent on short-term relief, and the lack of influence the communities affected have had in this process. Many of those most directly affected by the disaster are still without permanent homes, a situation arising from government plans for physical and economic development being bogged down in bureaucratic and political procedures, the report said.

The review acknowledges that immediate relief programmes have been well received, but reconstruction plans have yet to emerge and are characterised by a lack of trust and consultation between government and locals. The extent of permanent, long-term reconstruction has been virtually non-existent, with communities unable to return to their land. This is partly explained by reports sent to the Network concerning disputes between government in Thailand, Indonesia, India and Sri Lanka and their costal communities. The reports claim that government is actively preventing the return of these communities, and offering support to commercial investment instead on the grounds of ‘tourist and economic development’.

The charities entrusted with spending the £350 million donated by the UK public have reported on the first six months of their activity, but it is impossible to say from these reports how much has been spent, how many people have benefited and in what way. A similar situation exists with the reports from the international co-ordinating bodies as there is no simple and common framework for reporting, making overall accountability virtually impossible.

Network steering group member Tony Lloyd-Jones, architect-planner and senior researcher at the University of Westminster’s Max Lock Centre, said that unprecedented amounts of money have been made available for aid, and efforts have been made to meet the immediate and longer-term needs of survivors.

“But what this report does highlight is that six months on from one of the most devastating disasters the world has ever seen, many communities feel they are being excluded from decisions on redevelopment and still continue to live without a roof on their head and an uncertain future,” he said.

“From the start we have given emphasis in our monitoring to the rights and participation of affected communities. We also aim to track the transparency of the process of transfer from emergency relief to sustained development in terms of access to resources and long-term planning."

Many charities fear that stories about the improper use of tsunami funds will damage public trust and confidence, according to a recent survey by the Institute of Fundraising. In the second phase of its study into the effects of the tsunami appeal on fundraising, it found that 49.2% of respondents felt negative reporting would impact on their fundraising over the long-term.

The survey also discovered that in the six months following the tsunami, 58.3% of charities have succeeded in increasing or maintaining income at the same levels as those attained during the same period in 2004, and have also experienced an increase in the use of Gift Aid and Committed Giving. However, a large number of organisations have seen a fall in corporate donations.

Lindsay Boswell, chief executive of the Institute, said: "The tsunami appeal has been a real testament to the generosity of UK donors but it has been a major worry to many charities who have been concerned how they can compete against the media attention around this campaign.

"These results are largely heartening. Where charities have seen a fall in income the general view is that it will be short lived, meanwhile the benefits from increased take-up around Gift Aid and committed giving should be felt for years to come."

A summary of the report can be found via www.institute-of-fundraising.org.uk with the full details being released at the Institute's National Convention on Monday 11 July.