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March 24, 2006
Large-scale distribution of seeds and farm equipment in three counties of Aceh
-Support operations completed in Indonesia-
"Since the occurrence of the Sumatra Earthquake and the Indian Ocean
Tsunami in December 2004, Peace Winds Japan (PWJ) carried out its support operations
in Aceh Province, located in the north of Sumatra Island. As part of those operations,
PWJ conducted large-scale agricultural support activities in a period between
January and February 2006. We provided 4,000 households in the three counties
of Aceh with seeds of rice, beans, and vegetables, seedlings of palm, fertilizers,
and various kinds of farm machinery. Due to the completion of this project, PWJ's
support operations in Indonesia have completed.
In this project, PWJ distributed seeds totaling 63 tons including those of rice,
peanuts, soybeans, and other vegetables, fertilizers totaling 350 tons, and a
total of 63,000 seedlings of palm, cacao, and rambutan. Also, farm equipment such
as hand tractors, threshers, and lifting pumps (a total of 59 machines) was distributed
to groups of households.
More than a year has passed since the tragedy of the tsunami attacked Aceh. Some
internally displaced persons have already returned to their villages, but still
some have no place to go. At the same time, some have started to settle in places
which used to be temporary living areas. PWJ expects that, utilizing these projects
as a stepping-stone, the people of the community stand up against the great difficulties
of the earthquake, tsunami, and conflicts, and make a step toward their rehabilitation.
The local resident staff was dismissed by February 28, and on the same day, PWJ's
activities in Indonesia continued since 1997 ended. From the commencement of the
support operations, especially after the occurrence of the Sumatra Earthquake
and the Indian Ocean Tsunami, we received generous contributions from many supporters,
and we had been able to continue various kinds of activities that match the local
people's needs. We would like to take this opportunity to express our special
thanks to all supporters. |
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PWJ trucks are heading to villages ©PeaceWindsJapan
Unloading from the truck ©PeaceWindsJapan
PWJ distributed seeds and farm equipment ©PeaceWindsJapan |
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Emergency Relief
Apr 7, 2005
PWJ Relief Team has been Providing Assistance to Seriously Damaged Banyak Islands
Peace Winds Japan has finished delivering the first round of critical provisions
to survivors on Banyak Islands. The Island group is made up of 99 small islands
and is located close to the epicenter of the M8.5 earthquake which hit the coast
of Sumatra Island on March 28 local time. After loading about 20 tons of emergency
items including water, noodles, canned sardines, and tarpaulins on to two 10 ton
boats, five PWJ staff members left Meulaboh for Banyak Islands in the afternoon
of April 2, and arrived there next day.
"We are the first international organization that has been able to
deliver vital emergency provisions to the islands, and there is no doubt that
the islands need further attention and emergency support" said the leader
of PWJ Sumatra projects, Cameron Noble. According to PWJ staff, the sea water
flooded inland due to a 2 meter tsunami that has not receded from residential
area near the seashore, thereby keeping residents away from their homes. Normally
people on Banyak Islands purchase daily necessities and food from Nias Island.
However, the serious damage to Nias Island has disrupted the flow of goods to
Banyak, threatening to exacerbate the condition on the Islands. PWJ staff also
discovered that the sea water has impregnated household freshwater wells, increasing
salinity. Despite this, local people have had no choice up until the delivery
of fresh water by PWJ but to drink it. Due to the dirty state of the water it
must be boiled before use.
To expand assistance, PWJ intends to share the information it has gathered and
coordinate with other international organizations also responding to the second
quake.
Based in Banda Aceh and Meulaboh, PWJ has been providing assistance to the survivors
of tsunami, which took place on December 26, 2004. |
House damaged by water = Balai Island
Balai City = Balai Island
Road is coverd by flooded water = Balai City
Road of Teluk Nibung = Ujung Batu Island |
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Feb 20, 2005
Things getting better but a long way to go
Cameron Noble returns to Meulaboh after an absence of over a month during which
time he was in Banda Aceh establishing PWJ's Banda Aceh office and initiating
programs. He now heads the office in Meulaboh for PWJ, which is the main field
for PWJ's Aceh activities.
Reported by: Cameron Noble
I knew things had changed the moment I landed in Meulaboh on February 9.
As I looked out the helicopter window, I didn't at first realize that the heliport
was located in the same army base where I had stayed during my first visit to
Meulaboh in early January. The heliport itself was a swamp when I last visited
and there were now new prefab buildings around the compound.
In and around Meulaboh, the town markets have started to function and most shops
outside of the hardest hit central business district are flourishing. Most food
stuffs, including fresh vegetables are now available. However, there are many
basic items needed for the rehabilitation of Meulaboh that are hard to come by
such as shovels and wheelbarrows. Furthermore, many of the victims of the disaster
don't have any money to buy fresh food even if it is available. Despite these
problems, the scenes I see around Meulaboh compared to a month ago are more positive.
Peoples' faces are brighter and they are eager to wave and say hello.
In the camps around Meulaboh, people are working hard to return to their own communities.
Many people have taken the tents distributed at the refugee camps to their own
land to live in while rebuilding their houses from scrap wood. Others are living
in camps but returning to their villages during the day to plant crops or repair
fishing equipment. People are living in very difficult circumstances but are trying
to make the most of it. PWJ is assisting these people to help themselves.
Yesterday we did a distribution of non-food items such as underwear, soap, shampoo,
sanitary napkins etc at a government built camp called Padang Panjang in Aceh
Barat district, about a 30 minutes drive out of Meulaboh city. During our talks
with community leaders, we discussed about how they plan to return to traditional
agricultural activities. The leaders said that a few people were already going
back and that surprisingly and fortunately, the soil wasn't badly affected by
the salt. One farmer even claimed that his crops were growing better than ever
which he attributed to the minerals from the tsunami water.
This community is extremely lucky, as much arable land has been rendered unusable
due to salt. Farmers as well as fishermen, who make up the bulk of people in the
Meulaboh area, have had much of their livelihoods destroyed and it will take a
tremendous effort to fully reestablish economic independence and stability.
While the challenges remain great, PWJ will continue to assist victims to return
to their communities as far as possible, and if that is not an option, to resettle
to other areas in a dignified manner as fast as possible. |
Photo: Distribution at Padang Panjang |
Jan 31, 2005
PWJ has started activities at Banda Aceh
Peace Winds Japan (PWJ), provides not only emergency assistance to the tsunami
victims at Meulaboh on Sumatra Island, but also has a base established at Banda
Aceh, to quickly assess current needs and to coordinate with United Nations' agencies,
other NGOs and local governments to provide the most effective assistance.
[Jan 24, 2005 ] The people took the first steps
Reported by: Cameron Noble
The people of Lambaro Skep in Banda Aceh City took the first steps along
the road to recovery today with the support of PWJ. A group of 48 displaced Lambaro
Skep residents now living in camps or relatives' houses, returned to their community
to begin the massive clean up job. PWJ, working closely with the community, provided
them with equipment to facilitate the clean up including wheelbarrows, shovels,
hoes, sledgehammers, picks, baskets, buckets, and a pair of gloves and boots for
each participant. PWJ also provides a daily wage of Rp.30,000 (~350yen) and lunch
to each worker.
The aims of the project are threefold. First, people in camps are currently receiving
only the bare necessities like rice and noodles to sustain them. People are growing
weary of camp life, subsistence rations, and only the clothes on their backs.
The income the beneficiaries earn enables them to buy clothes and food without
having to depend on handouts. It also enables residents to start buying the necessary
materials to repair and rebuild their homes with their own hard earned money.
PWJ is not giving charity but is acting as a catalyst in this cost-effective project
to leverage the greatest benefit with minor intervention. This boosts the overall
confidence of the community in facing this tough recovery process.
People naturally want to return to their communities as soon as possible to begin
reconstruction of homes, schools and roads. Until the areas are cleared of rubble,
and the many bodies that still remain are removed, this process cannot move forward.
Currently, the only alternatives for many displaced people are life in overcrowded
and unsanitary camps or perhaps a 20 square meter "family room" in one
of the government transition camps being built. PWJ, however, believes a third
alternative exists through supporting an expedited return of people to their own
communities.
The third aim is the healing of trauma. People in the camps pass the day aimlessly
with no job prospects and nowhere to turn. This leads to people dwelling inexorably
on the past. In this case, the trauma of the tsunami. An opportunity to earn money
and begin the recovery process in their very own village motivates many to move
beyond the past and look to the future. This is an empowering future whereby they
take responsibility for the recovery effort without reliance on government intervention
or handouts. In this way, the trauma begins to heal as they move forward with
their lives.
PWJ is dedicated to continuing this project until the people of Lambaro Skep begin
returning to their own homes, leaving behind the camps, to start their lives anew. |
Cameron Noble,
PWJ country coordinator
Displaced people cleaning up debris
Recovering their own villages themselves motivates to move beyond the past and
look to the future |
[Jan 23,
2005 ] The Victims of the Tragedy
Reported by: Cameron Noble
On the first day of the Cash-for-Work project I sat down during the afternoon
break and talked to the leader of Group 1 in charge of cleaning up the primary
school. He told me his story.
Ismail Mobin, 62 years old, was in the town of Sigli, 120 kilometers from Banda
Aceh, visiting relatives when the earthquake and tsunami struck with force in
Lambaro Skep. His immediate thoughts were for his family and therefore he tried
return to Banda Aceh on the same day of December 26 but was unable to get transport
until the 27th . Getting a ride with a local mini bus crammed with others seeking
the fate of their families, he returned immediately to Lambaro Skep to find his
house badly damaged and his family elsewhere.
Eventually his son came to the damaged family house and from him he was able to
learn that all of his immediate family living in the house were safe. They were
able to run from the tsunami to safer parts of town. However, his grandson and
a son-in-law, who were in harder hit areas of town, are still missing and he doesn't
hold much hope for them. However, Ismail is grateful that most of his family were
able to survive and he is now looking forward to returning. According to Ismail
about 800 people are still missing from the "desa" or village that Lambaro
Skep is a part of. Ismail himself is now living in a displaced persons camp further
inland with many other members of the Lambaro Skep community.
When asked about his hopes for the future he said that his dream is to return
to live within a month with many other members of the community. When asked what
he plans to do with the money earned from the Cash-for-Work program he says he
wants to buy vegetables, snacks for his children and grandchildren, cigarettes,
and start buying the materials needed to return. While he says that his basic
food needs are being met in tha displaced persons camp through rice and noodles,
he wants to eat vegetables and sauces not just plain rice as he has been doing
for much of the last month.
Ismail regards the return of electricity as a future turning point in the return
of the community. However, in Lambaro Skep no power lines remain standing and
the local transformer has crashed in to the side of the mosque and needs to be
removed with heavy machinery before another can be built. Ismail realizing that
the return of the electricity grid will take time asked PWJ to supply a small
generator to allow some men to stay in the mosque at night. He claims that if
even only a few people stay in Lambar Skep at night it will send a positive message
to return to the other members of the community. In response, PWJ has decided
to grant the request and will supply a generator as soon as possible from Medan
with a vision to facilitate and hasten the important return process of the community.
[Jan 23, 2005 ] The first day of activities in Banda
Aceh
Reported by: Cameron Noble
I was nervous the morning that the Cash-for-Work program in Lambaro Skep,
Banda Aceh was due to begin on January 23. The planned start was 8am and there
was a Japanese television crew coming at 9am to film the project. The night before
we visited some of the beneficiaries who were staying in an overcrowded relatives
house south of Banda Aceh. We checked with them again the details of the project
and they reassured us that at 8am there would be 40 people ready and willing to
work. Normally, especially in a country so famous for "rubber time"
like Indonesia, I wouldn't be so concerned about starting right on 8am, but because
of the television crew I wanted to make sure that everyone was up and working
by the time they came as it was a rare public relations opportunity to reach out
to the entire nation through its most popular and powerful media, namely television.
The PWJ team arrived at the site at 7:45am and as expected were the first ones
there. However, soon after people started arriving in the back of pick-ups and
motorcycles. By 8:15am nearly everyone had arrived and I was feeling much more
relaxed. We did an attendance check and then held a discussion with the community
on the strategy for tackling the mountains of rubble scattered across Lambaro
Skep. It was decided by all to divide in to two teams. One would tackle the mosque
grounds and the other the local primary school. The tools and protective clothing
were distributed and work began immediately. By the time the television crew arrived,
work was well underway and the television crew was impressed. I also was impressed
by the enthusiasm shown by the community. They worked extremely hard and with
great teamwork in going through the rubble. The television crew got some great
shots, interviewed a couple of the beneficiaries and myself and we were on the
national evening and late night news that very day in Japan.
As expected, as we cleared the rubble we started to uncover bodies of those killed
by the tsunami. Even though almost a month had already passed, the scale of the
rubble means that there are still hundreds and hundreds of bodies being unearthed
each day in Banda Aceh. With an expected death toll of around 90,000 in Banda
Aceh alone it is not surprising. The bodies had become like mummies and had gone
beyond the point of being smelly almost. At the end of the day we marked the places
where the bodies were and called a local evacuation team in charge of body removal.
The local workers were relieved to have them out of the way so that they could
continue to work earnestly. In the first day alone significant progress was made
in the mosque grounds and the primary school. Other public facilities to be targeted
next are the local health clinic and the community hall.
At the end of the day just before paying salaries, we held another discussion
with the beneficiaries to get their ideas for improving the program. Here, PWJ
got some practical tips like providing more drinking water and having a formal
morning and afternoon break time with coffee to boost energy levels. These suggestions
were gladly taken onboard by PWJ.
All participants indicated a desire to keep working everyday. They see it has
a means to get some income and thereby buy things with their own hard earned money
such as vegetables, sauces and snacks. Also as a chance to buy the things necessary
to facilitate their return like cooking utensils and clothing. Another reason
for their enthusiasm was that they all want to return and this was the first step
in that return. After the area was cleared they would begin rebuilding and return
from the displaced persons camps to live again in their own community. The last
main reason for their enthusiasm was that the work offered them a chance to look
again to the future and move on from the trauma of the tsunami. In the camps they
had no work and nothing to do but relive the horrors of the disaster and the tragic
loss of life of loved ones. Now with a practical means to shape their own future
they are working hard and looking forward to recovery instead of back to the horrors
of the past.
I feel that PWJ is playing a catalytic role in the project. It doesn't cost a
lot of money and it mainly relies on the work of the community. We are just providing
a small start up incentive and trying to organize the community to work for itself.
The 3 positive effects of the project are a great return on a small financial
and time investment .
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[Jan 22,
2005 ] The coastline had been changed
Reported by: Cameron Noble
After 4 weeks of non-stop disaster response one thing that has amazed me
is the resilience of the Indonesian people. In Banda Aceh, a city that used to
have a population of around 230,000 people, official reports now state that over
90,000 people have perished. That's over one third the entire population of a
decent sized city. Coastal areas of the city have simply disappeared. The coastline
itself had been dramatically changed with acres of land being reclaimed by the
sea.
Despite the magnitude of this tragedy, people are beginning to look to the future.
Every single person in this city has lost relatives and friends. Despite this,
people are struggling to get on with their lives in any way they can. They are
beginning to talk about their experiences. They are smiling and joking with each
other. Occasionally I see people on the street who chance upon a friend who they
obviously haven't seen since before the tsunami. It is interesting to watch because
they don't make the expected big fuss about it. They just exchange ordinary greetings
like, "Hey, you're well! Where you going?" as if the tsunami had not
been such a big deal. Of course it was, but people are very resilient and accepting
of the trials that life presents. They put it all down to the will of Allah and
move on quickly. They are quick to accept circumstances, no matter how daunting
and eagerly move on toward a brighter though uncertain future. No matter what
comes their way, they manage to flow with it and come out the other side somehow
smiling. This attitude gives me hope for the people of Aceh and for their future
. |
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[Jan 20,
2005 ] Faces rather than figures
Reported by: Cameron Noble
Cameron Noble shares the experience of living in the field in Banda Aceh and feeling
more directly the impact of the disaster upon the people. As part of PWJ's efforts
to start programs in Banda Aceh after establishing its office, PWJ carried out
research in some of the hundreds of displaced persons camps scattered around Banda
Aceh. Also the local newspaper has proven to be a reliable source of information
and an accurate barometer indicating the general mood of the public in Banda Aceh.
However, in the newspaper and on the noticeboards at the camps there is a reminder
of the human face of the tragedy.
When I read about the figures for the number of dead for this disaster, namely,
around 165,000 globally, and around 110,000 in Indonesia alone, of course I am
astounded at the scale of the disaster. However, no matter how high the figure
climbs, what is more heart wrenching is seeing the bodies being pulled from rubble
and also seeing the photos of those who are missing in the newspaper and on noticeboards
set up in the hundreds of displaced persons camps. Everyday hundreds of photos
are placed in the local paper "Serambi" and on noticeboards, shop windows
and street signs around town by those looking for missing loved ones.
Over 3 weeks have passed since the disaster struck on December 26, but many
people, understandably, cling desperately to the hope that their husband, children
or mother are still alive in one of the hundreds of displaced persons camps. The
chances, in reality, are that they are dead and are either already buried in mass
graves or still lying under the tons of rubble piled up around town. It is said
that everyday still 500 bodies are being pulled from rubble and buried in mass
graves in Banda Aceh alone. In one day in one village alone where PWJ's Global
Alliance partner, Mercy Corps, was working they removed 70 bodies just a few days
ago.
In today's paper there was again hundreds of classifieds placed by people looking
for loved ones. Among them was a brother and sister named Chairul Icwan Chaidir,
11 years old and his younger sister, Riska Sari Chaidir, 5 and a half years old.
At the time of the disaster they were in Punge Jurong, an area of Banda Aceh.
Another child is Cut Syaza Irdina, 2 and a half years old. She has curly hair,
dark skin and uneven front teeth, with a birthmark on her right lower back. She
usually calls herself Asya. At the time of the disaster she was in Cadek village,
sub-district Baitussalam. Lastly the classified reads, "As a servant of God,
if you know her whereabouts please let us know." Another is T. Harmawansyah,
11 years old. His was thought to be in Surin village at the time. He has thick
hair, is tall and has dark skin. Another is Rahadatul Aisy Salsabila, 4 and half
years old. At the time of the disaster he was in his home on Syiah Kuala Road
but is thought to have been swept toward Lamprit, PKA, Lampineng, Lingke or Prada
areas. He is a chubby boy with short hair that is a little curly at the back.
He has a round face, wide eyes, a pudgy nose and a birth mark on his arm. Lastly
it says, "Anyone who finds him please contact us."
I think its important to look through these 'searching for' classifieds because
it is by seeing faces of the individual victims that I am reminded of why I am
working here rather than seeing than rising statistics. By looking at the photos
it is easier to realise that this person was a member of a family, was loved and
is being sadly missed by many people. It brings the tragedy to life in a much
more real way than just reading of the thousands and thousands killed in terms
of numbers. When I look at photos of whole happy families, babies and young children,
I wonder what happened to them. Knowing that they are probably dead, I think,
how exactly did they die? How much did they have to suffer? Were they all alone
as they breathed their last breath struggling under the mass of turbulent water,
rubble and mud? It also makes me reflect on the preciousness of my own family
as the same could happen to them at anytime in earthquake prone Japan.
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[Jan 15, 2005 ] Continuing Aftershocks
Reported by: Cameron Noble
After firmly establishing its activities in Meulaboh, PWJ established
a second office in the provincial capitol of Banda Aceh on January 10 to further
coordination with other humanitarian actors, to gather information and, of course,
to carry out activities aimed at relieving the suffering of the people of Aceh.
The activities in Banda Aceh will be aimed at furthering a rapid recovery of the
capital and surrounding areas with activities that support people to return to
their communities and rebuild their lives. Cameron Noble set up the Banda Aceh
office and since January 10 had mainly been stationed there as the Country Coordinator.
The following stories reflect the life in Banda Aceh as well as describe the activities
that PWJ has begun there.
Even though it is not taken up in the international media covering the Aceh disaster,
one of the hardest things to live with here are the continuing aftershocks. Everyday
the PWJ office rocks from two to five times a day as the tectonic plates off Sumatra
continue to settle in to place. Just last night there were two aftershocks, which
woke me from my sleep. The quakes were probably a high 2 or low 3 on the scale
but were more than enough to have me bolt upright from my bed. A few days ago
there was a strong quake of at least 4 during the day, which had the cupboards
and light shades rattling loudly.
Of course, not only do PWJ staff worry about the ongoing aftershocks. The IDPs
that we have spoken to in the camps have all expressed a fear about the ongoing
aftershocks. For some, the fear of another major earthquake and tsunami is enough
to keep them from returning. As long as the aftershocks continue many will not
feel safe enough to return to their homes. Every time there is an aftershock they
are reminded of the trauma that they experienced on December 26. Many people are
in shock and there are even reports that many people have lost their minds due
to the disaster and the intense tragedy that they went through.
There is nothing anyone can do to stop the aftershocks (Not even PWJ!). However,
PWJ can help people to face and overcome their fear together as a community. Many
IDPs expressed a willingness to return to their homes only if other community
members returned with them. PWJ will work with whole communities to not only provide
for their needs but with the aim of building community strength to face the numerous
challenges ahead. |
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[Jan 7, 2005
]
Even though I had seen scenes taken from a helicopter on television in Medan the
day before, the scale of the destruction in Meulaboh when I saw it on the ground
with my own eyes was mind blowing. I saw the incredible power of nature which
placed cars on building roofs, turned entire poor fishing villages into barren
landscapes and left behind thousands of bodies floating amongst piles of debris
in stagnating water.
From Blangpidi airport where we landed on January 1, to Meulaboh is a two hour
drive.
The first one and a half hours the scenery is typical Indonesian postcard stuff
of rice fields, huts and coconut palms. However, once you pass Kuala Tuha and
cross the Suerangan River, the scenery changes drastically from sleepy rural farming
communities to a scene of mass destruction. The road into Meulaboh is about 2km
from the coast and was once occupied by fishing communities. At first I thought
the area between the road and the coast was just a barren flat wasteland until
I saw the concrete foundations on the left of the road, furniture, zinc sheeting
and planks of wood stuck high in trees in the forest far away to the right of
the road and realized that whole communities had been just swept away. A few of
the concrete houses were still standing and people were just sifting through the
wreckage trying to salvage household goods. Others were looking for bodies or
burying them in mass graves. The smell of rotting bodies and animals was in parts
overwhelming.
The centre of town looks as if it has been hit by a bomb. Most buildings have
been flattened and large trucks are overturned like toys. Fishing boats sit in
the middle of the street and create a surrealist atmosphere. Many people are walking
around with a lost look on their faces after being separated from loved ones who
have most likely perished. The government has officially given up trying to count
accurately the death toll and are now, with the assistance of international NGOs
like Peace Winds Japan, local NGOs, foreign and governments trying to save lives
and reduce the suffering of the survivors. The government is trying hard, but
due to the damaged infrastructure and scale of the disaster it is being overwhelmed.
Some areas are yet to be reached and people are walking long distances along broken
roads to get relief.
Although the suffering I see everyday here is huge, I feel proud to be a leading
part of the team from Peace Winds Japan that is positively contributing to the
relief and recovery process in Sumatra. Being the first international NGO to deliver
aid to Meulaboh was particularly gratifying, as we received such a warm welcome
from people desperate for aid. My experiences to date with Peace Winds Japan in
Sierra Leone and Afghanistan, and since March 2004, in Indonesia as Country Coordinator,
are providing me with valuable lessons with which to coordinate our work here
along with team leader Tomoaki Kanamaru. The team is working incredibly hard from
early morning to late at night to bring aid to the especially devastated west
coast area, and will continue to work toward the reconstruction of Sumatra. |
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[Jan 10,
2005 ]
On our first day in Meulaboh, we viewed the damage in the city center and
along the coast. The coastline was flat with barely any rubble left of the houses
washed away. There was a woman sifting through what remained of her concrete house.
She had a sarong tied into a bag and was picking pieces of cloth and some cooking
pots which somehow got stuck in the few remaining slabs of reinforced concrete.
I approached her and asked about her experience in Bahasa Indonesian.
Her name was Ratna and she was 45 years old. When the earthquake hit she was in
town shopping. She tried to get back to her house but was unable to before the
tsunami hit 20 minutes later. She had left her 3 children at home by themselves.
Later she heard that they went to the seashore when it started to recede as a
prelude to the oncoming wall of water. She suspects that they were just swept
away and that their bodies are buried under the rubble or were swept out to sea.
She herself was able to find high ground, but lost all her money and other possessions.
All she had left was the bag of scavenged goods.
As we talked, she broke down and cried on my shoulder. I tried to console her
as best as I could but what could I do for a woman who had lost everything. I
gave her some money and asked if she wanted to go to one of the displaced people's
camps further inland. She indicated that she had been wanting to go but it was
too far to walk. In the end we picked up her belongings of one bag and drove her
to the camp where we had just done a distribution of clean water and food. We
explained her situation to the camp leaders who readily took her in.
Later, when I was reflecting on my meeting with Ratna, what I realized was that
although her story is incredibly tragic in that she lost 3 children, her house
and almost all of her possessions, that her case was not unusual. She was only
one of thousands who were left behind while their families were metaphorically
and physically swept away from them along with the possessions they had worked
a lifetime to acquire.
We later met another woman in one of the camps who lost 2 of 4 children. Her husband
survived but she was badly injured after a piece of zinc sheeting swirling in
the raging torrent sliced her leg badly. She was unable to be treated and the
deep wound was becoming infected. At that time we had no medicine to provide and
I wonder what has become of her. |
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Jan 4, 2005
PWJ starts distribution of critical provisions to survivors
in Meulaboh
Peace Winds Japan (PWJ)'s emergency relief team in Medan, the capital of North
Sumatra Province, has begun delivering critical provisions to survivors in Meulaboh,
a city on the west coast of Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam Province.
PWJ's emergency relief team divided into two groups to enter Meulaboh by both
land and air due to its access difficulties and have begun distributing critical
provisions to survivors of last week's disaster. The emergency team has already
delivered more than 750 kg. of boxed biscuits, pharmaceuticals, bottled water
and clothes to the evacuation center and Indonesian government aid center in Meulaboh.
It is estimated that about 30,000 of Meulaboh's 40,000 residents have been killed
in the massive earthquakes and horrific tsunamis. According to a team member,
the catastrophe there is indescribable, and nothing can be seen but wreckage.
Survivors of the disaster meanwhile face the threat of infectious disease outbreaks
due to the lack of clean water, nutrition and medicine.
PWJ will keep focusing its assistance effort on the people left devastated by
the catastrophe. Your donations are greatly appreciated and enable us to continue
assisting the survivors of this disaster. |
Nothing but debris can be seen in Meulaboh
Local young people told PWJ members how fearful the tsunamis were
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Dec 30, 2004
PWJ Starts Procurement of Food and Non-Food Items for Distribution
to the Earthquake Victims in Aceh, Indonesia
Peace Winds Japan (PWJ)'s initial assessment team arrived in Jakarta on December
27, then moved to Medan, the capital of North Sumatra Province on December 28
and started to procure goods there. The team had initially planned to have a base
in Banda Aceh, the capital of the Province of Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam (formerly
the Special Territory of Aceh, herein "Aceh") but was unable to do so
because of the difficulty in procuring gasoline which is necessary for PWJ's relief
operation in Ache.
According to one of PWJ's local staff members who had already conducted an assessment
in Banda Aceh, the damage in the area is catastrophic. The city has been flattened
with two-thirds of the buildings and houses collapsed. The death toll will rise
well over 30,000. Although ample food and goods have reached the airport of Banda
Aceh, shortage of gasoline and impassable roads have prevented the relief teams
from reaching the people.
In the meantime, PWJ deployed the second and third teams to Indonesia, each consisting
of two international staff members. They departed Japan on December 29 and 30
respectively. These additional teams will join the initial team at Medan, and
together they will start to procure and distribute foods, water, shelter kits
and other goods necessary for emergency relief.
As soon as access becomes available, PWJ will start distribution of food and emergency
items for the survivors at Meulaboh, a city on the west coast of Aceh, 160km southwest
of Banda Aceh. It is estimated that more than 80% of the land of Meulaboh has
been destroyed by the massive tsunamis, and the majority of the population may
have lost their lives. |
Thousands of dead bodies remain unidentified in Banda Aceh.
Photo:Reuters/Beawiharta/
Courtesy/www.alternet.org
The view of distruction in front of a mosque in Banda Aceh, caused
by deadly tsunamis.
Photo:Reuters/Beawiharta/
Courtesy/www.alternet.org |
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Dec 27, 2004
PWJ Deploys Assessment Team to Indonesia in Response to Massive
South East Asia Earthquake
On December 26, a powerful earthquake of 9.0 on the Richter scale struck
under the Indian Ocean off the coast of Sumatra Island. The earthquake caused
massive tidal waves (tsunamis), devastating the coastal shores of countries including
Indonesia, Thailand, Sri Lanka, India, Malaysia, and the Maldives. To date, casualties
are estimated to be more than 10,000, and figures are expected to rise as new
reports come in.
In response to this tragedy, Peace Winds Japan (PWJ) immediately decided to
deploy an assessment team to Indonesia to collect information on the extent of
damage, to assess emergency assistance needs, and to prepare itself for emergency
relief efforts in the Province of Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam (formerly the Special
Territory of Aceh, hereon "Aceh").
Despite the extremely limited amount of information about the extent of damage
within Aceh, it is expected to be one of the most devastated areas due to the
closeness of the epicenter. PWJ has been engaged assistance to Indonesia through
the provision of emergency relief assistance to internally displaced Acehnese
in Indonesia and through the sponsoring of local NGO partners since 2003.
The first team from PWJ Tokyo which departed for Jakarta on the morning of December
27th , consists of two international staff members, Tomoaki Kanamaru and Cameron
Noble. They will be joining two staff members, already engaged in initial assessment
efforts, at PWJ's Jakarta office. They are expected to move to Banda Aceh, the
provincial capital of Aceh, as soon as the airport access is available.
PWJ has experience in provision of emergency relief to earthquake and natural
disaster victims. In 2001, PWJ offered emergency assistance to the earthquake
victims in Gujarat, India, and exactly one year ago, PWJ deployed an emergency
relief team to Bam, Iran. Most recently, PWJ provided temporary shelter for the
victims of the Niigata Chuetsu Earthquake in the city of Ojiya, Japan.
We are collecting donations to support our emergency assistance program in Aceh,
Indonesia. |
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