Kastom Gaden Association. The project was funded by AusAID between 2002 and 2004 to assist rural youth in the Solomon Islands establish income-earning projects as part of post-conflict reconstruction. Solomon Islands 2004. Photo: AusAID

Trincomalee, north-east Sri Lanka. AusAID, through the UNDP Transition Program has provided new fishing boats and outboard motors to this fishing community which lost all ways of generating a livelihood in the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. Sri Lanka 2005. Photo: AusAID

Alex Knox, AusAID Development Program specialist and UNDP Transition Program colleague, inspect a new road linking villages with the ocean. During the 20 year conflict between the Sri Lankan government and the Tamil Tigers for Liberation this area was heavily land mined, preventing villagers from reaching the ocean to fish and agricultural land to farm. Sri Lanka 2005. Photo: AusAID

AusAID, through the UNDP is funding a fisheries microfinance project in Trincomalee, north-east Sri Lanka. Microfinance initiatives have become increasingly important in the aftermath of the 2004 tsunami, often the only way families have of securing any income. Sri Lanka 2005. Photo: AusAID

Fishermen in Trincomalee, north-east Sri Lanka. These men are waiting for new boats so they can go back to work, earning a living for their families and village. Sri Lanka 2005. Photo: AusAID

AusAID, through CARE Australia and the UNDP provided funding for emergency assistance in the first few weeks following the tsunami. Ongoing support funding for microfinance projects has meant fishermen, like this gentleman, have been able to open small local stores as a way of earning money while he waits for new boats to be provided. Sri Lanka 2005. Photo: AusAID

Local villagers employed to work on the new road linking villages with the ocean. During the 20 year conflict between the Sri Lankan government and the Tamil Tigers for Liberation this area was heavily land mined, preventing villagers from reaching the ocean to fish and agricultural land to farm. Sri Lanka 2005. Photo: AusAID

Mannar, north-west Sri Lanka. AusAID, through IOM is providing small loans and shelter to people recently returned from India. This woman is supporting 6 people through candle-making. Sri Lanka 2005. Photo: AusAID

Candle making in Sri Lanka 2005. Photo: AusAID

Fruit and vagetable markets. Maldives 2005. Photo: AusAID

The only two items not imported in the Maldives are fish and coconuts. Everything else, including fuel, food, water, and housing materials needs to be shipped into Male’ and then shipped out to the other islands, many of which are up to 15 hours boat-ride away. Maldives 2005. Photo: AusAID

Fruit and vagetable markets. Maldives 2005. Photo: AusAID

fisherman with catch, Maldives 2005. Photo: AusAID

Markets in PNG, 2008. Photo: AusAID

Vietnam microfinance project. Vietnam 2005. Photo: Lorrie Graham / AusAID

Vietnam microfinance project. Vietnam 2005. Photo: Lorrie Graham / AusAID

Vietnam microfinance project. Vietnam 2005. Photo: Lorrie Graham / AusAID

Vietnam microfinance project. Vietnam 2005. Photo: Lorrie Graham / AusAID

Growing tomatoes, Myanmar 2006. Photo: Lorraine Hitch

Bagan, Myanmar 2006. Photo: Lorraine Hitch, AusAID

ploughing fields, Shan state, Myanmar 2006. Photo: Lorraine Hitch

Ploughing fields, Shan, Myanmar 2006. Photo: Lorraine Hitch, AusAID

Fisherman on lake, Inle, Myanmar 2006. Photo: Lorraine Hitch, AusAID

Fisherman, Inle, Myanmar 2006. Photo: Lorraine Hitch, AusAID

Inle market, Myanmar 2006. Photo: Lorraine Hitch, AusAID