CNN TSUNAMI SPECIAL: TURNING THE TIDE {ANDERSON COOPER} (TV)
Summary
Anderson Cooper and Paula Zahn co-host this CNN special on the followup to the Dec. 26, 2004 disasters that resulted from a series of lethal tsunamis spreading throughout the Indian Ocean, with devastated areas including Sri Lanka, Thailand, Indonesia and India. With Zahn at the CNN newsdesk, Cooper reports live from Beruwada, Sri Lanka, noting that the death toll of 154,000 victims is expected to rise dramatically. In the first segment, Cooper interviews a man who was riding in a train when a giant wave swept the train cars off the track and against nearby houses, killing more then 900. The man survived by jumping onto a rooftop. Cooper then interviews the owners of that house, where two inhabitants were swept away. Anderson tours the train's remains, commenting on the stench of decay. CNN correspondent Mike Chinoy reports from Banda Acch, Indonesia, where residents are getting sick from drinking untreated water and water-borne diseases are on the rise. CNN correspondent Dana Bash reports on President George W. Bush's appeal to the American public for donations, aided by his father, former President George H.W. Bush and former President Bill Clinton. He also responds to criticism of U.S. efforts being "too little, too late." CNN correspondent Aneesh Raman reports on rebuilding efforts at the severely damaged Kamala Hotel in Phuket, Thailand.
CNN correspondent Paula Hancocks reports on the challenges of getting food, water and medicine to the needy in remote areas. She notes that local citizens are doing most of the cleanup in many hard-hit spots since roads have been largely washed away. Zahn interviews Pat Rooney of Dallas about how his family of six survived when the tsunami hit an exclusive resort in Thailand where the group was vacationing. After a roundup of the day's headlines, Zahn interviews a young man who was scuba diving when the tsunami hit and how he is currently searching for his friend, who was also scuba diving when the current carried him away. CNN correspondent Stan Grant visits an orphanage in northern Sri Lanka, where the children are not only coping with the tragedy's aftermath but the country's ongoing civil war. Zahn reports on efforts by Greek fishermen in Thailand to rescue two dolphins who were swept inland and are trapped in a small body of water. Zahn then reports on how elephants are being used in Thailand to clear rubble and recover more bodies. Next, a montage of survivor stories is accompanied by videos of the giant waves coming ashore and the consequent chaos.
Cooper, who is stationed at Beruwada, Sri Lanka, reports on "miracle stories," including the survival of a baby boy found floating on a mattress near a Thailand resort, and a woman who managed to cling to a palm tree in the water for five days. Zahn conducts a phone interview with the father of a woman whose ashes were brought home to Hope, Maine, by her finace, who survived the storm. CNN correspondent Allan Chernoff reports on how organizations like the Red Cross and Doctors Without Borders are getting donations to victims, as well as noting the overhead costs. Zahn interviews Jan Egeland, United Nations Emergency Relief Coordinator, over his comments that rich nations were being "stingy" with donations. Following a break of news headlines, CNN correspondent Matthew Chance interviews two vacationers from Seattle, Wash., who found a two-year-old Swedish boy in shock and saved his life after the tsunami hit Phuket, Thailand. CNN correspondent Robyn Curnan interviews a Swedish man who returned to his country a hero after saving his mother, sister and a drowning stranger. CNN correspondent Hugh Riminton reports on how 50,000 of the tsunami's victims were children. Homeless orphans in Berwada, Sri Lanka are now sleeping 40 per room. Zahn interviews Dr. Libby North, whose hand was severed while in a bungalow on an island off Thailand when the giant wave hit. North tells how her hand has been subsequently reattached. CNN correspondent Veronica De La Cruz reads from the CNN website, which has received more than 20,000 tsunami-related emails and tells how many of the emails resulted in family reunions. Zahn provides a lead-in to "Larry King Live," where King is hosting former President George H.W. Bush and former President Bill Clinton, who are coordinating U.S. efforts to aid tsunami victims.
CNN correspondent Mike Chinoy reports from Banda Atch, Indonesia about uncollected corpses which are rotting in the heat. He addresses the dangers of contaminated dust and how a lack of medical supplies are causing operations to be undertaken without anesthesia or the necessary sterilization of equipment. Shiulie Ghosh of Great Britain's Independent Television News reports from Thailand about prisoners being used to take DNA samples from corpses for identification purposes, thus reducing their sentences. CNN correspondent Aneesh Raman reports from Phuket, Thailand, about the rebuilding of the Kamala Beach Hotel. Following a montage of videotaped survivor stories, Zahn interviews Rev. Rick Warren, author of "The Purpose Driven Life," for his opinion on why God allows situations like the tsunami to occur. Following a roundup of the day's headlines, Cooper updates relief efforts in Beruwada, Sri Lanka. Zahn interviews Daniel Borochoff of the American Institute of Philanthropy on how to identify bogus charities. The program next switches to live coverage of Thailand's foreign minister addressing the press with Secretary of State Colin Powell and Florida Gov. Jeb Bush. Powell tells reporters that America will continue to offer military and financial support to the area. CNN correspondent Jeff Greenfield offers a commentary on whether Washington D.C.-based relief efforts will reduce hostilities toward the United States from other nations. Lastly, Zahn introduces a video in which a teacher from California's Heschel West Day School tries to answer young children's questions about the tsunami. The tape ends abruptly. This program is closed-captioned. Includes commercials.
Cataloging of this program has been made possible by Verizon Foundation.
Details
- NETWORK: CNN
- DATE: January 3, 2005 7:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 3:01:42
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: T:88332
- GENRE: News; Talk/Interviews
- SUBJECT HEADING: Indian Ocean Tsunami, 2004
- SERIES RUN: CNN - TV series, 2003-
- COMMERCIALS:
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- TV - Commercials - Bud Light beer
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- TV - Promos - "Larry King Live"
CREDITS
- Anderson Cooper … Host
- Paula Zahn … Host
- Dana Bash … Reporter
- Mike Chinoy … Reporter
- Aneesh Raman … Reporter
- Paula Hancocks … Reporter
- Stan Grant … Reporter
- Shiulie Ghosh … Reporter
- Jeff Greenfield … Reporter
- Allan Chernoff … Reporter
- Matthew Chance … Reporter
- Robyn Curnan … Reporter
- Hugh Riminton … Reporter
- Veronica De La Cruz … Reporter
- Rick Warren … Guest
- Daniel Borochoff … Guest
- Jan Egeland … Guest
- Libby North … Guest
- George H.W. Bush
- George W. Bush
- Jeb Bush
- Bill Clinton
- Larry King
- Colin Powell