Indonesia
The province of Aceh was the hardest hit by the tsunami. It was also an area already experiencing hardship due to the conflict which raged for years before the recent peace agreements.
Thousands of families were tragically torn apart in Indonesia by the tsunami. Over 130,000 people lost their lives and many others lost contact with loved ones. Almost a year on tracing and reunification efforts are still continuing. In an area where roads are still damaged and communications difficult, tracing family members can take time. For example, it was only in July that 15-year-old Khairuddin was reunited with his mother after a seven month separation. Most children without parents are currently placed with community or family members and their progress is monitored by social workers to ensure they are well cared for.
UNICEF’s immediate priority in Indonesia was to ensure that the children who survived the tsunami did not die from preventable causes. The subsequent massive health push resulted in over one million children under 15 being immunised against measles and 199,924 women and children receiving insecticide-treated bednets, to protect them against malaria. Over 2,000 midwives have been trained and provided with materials to deliver babies safely in the displaced persons camps.
The damage to water sources has been a major challenge to keeping people alive and healthy here and UNICEF continues to truck water to areas without access to safe water. Whilst rebuilding water and sanitation services in some areas of Aceh, UNICEF is also working with the government and other partners to improve water and sanitation conditions in the displaced persons camps.
Within weeks of the tsunami UNICEF also helped children return to education by delivering books and learning supplies for 830,000 children. UNICEF has helped to demolish unsafe schools and 200 semi-permanent schools are being constructed. These are important as the emergency school tents are unsuitable learning environments during bad weather. Once the new permanent ‘child-friendly’ schools are completed, the temporary structures will become community or children’s centres and be absorbed into community life.
