More than 223,000 people lost their lives and 1.4 million their source of livelihood as a result of the earthquake and tsunami that ravaged a dozen South and Southeast Asian countries on December 26, 2004. From 2006 to 2009, the Tsunami Reconstruction Initiative promoted long-term recovery efforts by helping youth in affected areas access training, jobs, apprenticeships, microcredit loans, and livelihood support services. Local programs in four countries provided youth, ages 16 to 29, with life skills education, vocational training, and support in launching their own businesses. Participating youth created a range of micro- and small-enterprises -- from processing cashews to bottling juices, from producing handicrafts to promoting tourism. The economic ripple effect is now being felt through the creation of jobs and business sector growth.