Rebuilding Aceh Together
The challenge
The tsunami that struck the coast of Aceh Dec. 26, 2004, was one of the worst natural disasters in history. More than 130,000 people were killed in Indonesia alone, and another 500,000 lost their homes, livelihoods and families. Within days, the world mobilized the largest emergency response ever; foreign governments, private citizens and organizations, including 500 aid agencies, arrived in Aceh to distribute food, water and shelter to the survivors.
Through its relief and recovery projects, CARE has helped more than 350,000 people in Banda Aceh and Aceh Besar, and on the island of Simeulue, which was struck by a second major earthquake in March, 2005. While CARE’s immediate response was the delivery of life-saving food, water and supplies, the Tsunami Response Program is now focused on a five-year development strategy dedicated to working with the people of Aceh to rebuild their houses, health-care systems, water and sanitation facilities, livelihoods, schools, and community services.
In coordination with the Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Agency for Aceh-Nias (BRR), UN agencies and the local communities and governments, CARE's vision is to transform the tsunami tragedy into a catalyst for change, leading to poverty alleviation and improving the quality of life for poor communities in affected areas in Aceh.
CARE’s response
Rebuilding health-care systems
When the tsunami struck Aceh, it devastated a health system that was already under strain due to a 30-year civil war. The disaster destroyed more than 400 health facilities, and killed many of the doctors, nurses and other health providers that would be needed to rebuild the health sector post-tsunami.
The goal of the CARE Tsunami Response Program’s five-year health strategy is to improve the health of mothers and children and their communities in targeted areas of Aceh, thus contributing to their quality of life. CARE’s health team is focused on working with the local health system, communities and other partners to rebuild and improve facilities and services, increase capacity and training of local health workers, provide education and support for families in order to meet their own health needs, and increase access to health care for vulnerable communities.
To improve the health of children, CARE provides health and nutrition education to mothers and caregivers, antenatal care for pregnant women, and micronutrient support and screening for children under the age of five. In Simeulue, we built and operate a therapeutic feeding centre for severely malnourished children. CARE has distributed more than four million bottles of Air Rahmat, a water purification solution that has yielded clean water for 350,000 people. Our psychosocial support project helps survivors cope with the trauma of the tsunami through community activities such as cultural events, sport, and art therapy. The new Adolescent Health Centre, called FRIENDS, provides a safe space for orphans and disadvantaged youth to learn new skills and important information about health issues such as HIV/AIDS and reproductive health. CARE has also rebuilt four community health centres and rehabilitated community health posts in villages across Banda Aceh and Aceh Besar.
Rebuilding communities
The goal of CARE’s shelter project is to recover and improve the quality of life for tsunami-affected families through rebuilding and rehabilitating houses and community facilities, building transitional shelters, disaster risk reduction, community empowerment and strengthening of local governance. Community members participate in all steps of the reconstruction process, and CARE staff meet with affected communities to plan and review the housing designs to ensure that they are fully satisfied with where they will live.
Rebuilding water and sanitation facilities
As part of the reconstruction project, CARE is working with survivors to build or repair the water and sanitation facilities needed in their new communities. CARE’s ACCESS project helps communities implement participatory, rights-based management of their own water resources and sanitation systems. By cleaning, repairing and drilling wells, building latrines and sanitation systems and delivering clean water, we have improved the water and sanitation conditions for more than 120,000 people.
Rebuilding livelihoods
The tsunami didn't just destroy houses; it destroyed jobs and incomes as well, leaving many survivors unable to provide for themselves and their families. CARE’s livelihoods team is dedicated to helping survivors across Banda Aceh, Aceh Besar and Simeulue regain their livelihoods through activities such as restoration and development of agriculture, fisheries, livestock and small trade or businesses, such as becak (motorcycle taxi) ownership, tailoring or kiosks. And throughout all our projects, CARE staff work with communities to ensure women are involved in every step of the reconstruction process.
Rebuilding futures
Recovery takes time, and CARE is committed to working with the people of Aceh to rebuild their homes, communities, and lives in the coming years. Together, we are building a better future for Aceh.
Current projects:
- ACCESS - Equal Access to Water and Sanitation for Tsunami-affected Communities
- Aceh Community Psychosocial Support Project
- Adolescent Health Project
- BEUDOH - Informed Options for Sustainable Settlements, Livelihoods Security and Disaster Risk Reduction in Simeulue
- Economic Development Project
- GLEEH - Improving Health, Hygiene and Sanitation in IDP Communities in Aceh
- Housing and Infrastructure Project
- INTHAN II - Integrated Health and Nutrition Project
- Simeulue Health and Nutrition Recovery Project
- Transitional Water and Sanitation Project
Province: Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam
Districts: Aceh Besar, Banda Aceh and Simeulue
Current target beneficiaries: 180,000 people
Duration: December 2004 to December 2009
Page last updated Oct. 3, 2007
