On Boxing Day 2004, the world united in shock and sympathy when an undersea earthquake led to devastating floods across low-lying areas of South-East Asia, including Sri Lanka, Thailand and Indonesia. More than 230,000 people lost their lives and whole towns and communities were swept away or reduced to ruins.
In Jersey, there was a spontaneous outpouring of generosity, initially in response to the South-East Asia Appeal launched by the Island’s Bailiff, Sir Philip Bailhache. With help from many individuals and organisations, this appeal eventually raised £1.5m towards the British Red Cross’s efforts on behalf of the victims.
One of the partners in the appeal was the Jersey Evening Post. In January 2005, the newspaper invited its readers to join in a gesture of solidarity with the stricken people of other coastal communities by gathering in silent fellowship on the beach at St Ouen’s Bay.
The event, organised by JEP assistant editor Anthony Lewis with creative assistance from Jersey artist Ian Rolls, attracted 5,000 Islanders, who lined up together to spell out the message SIDE BY SIDE.
Aerial pictures of the event were published around the world and became a symbol both of international response and of Jersey’s own special contribution. The pledge expressed that day was not only to help with emergency action but also to offer long-term support for people rebuilding their lives after the tragic consequences of the tsunami.
As the emphasis moved to reconstruction, the decision was taken that the Bailiff’s appeal, and Jersey’s extraordinary response to it, should become the basis for a permanent charity.
The result was the launch of Jersey Side by Side, which now works to fulfil the commitment made at St Ouen’s Bay in January 2005, to support the rebuilding of lives damaged by the tsunami and to channel Jersey’s community spirit to help relieve the victims of other tragedies, wherever in the world they are with other disasters wherever in the world they occur.