Indonesia Thanks the World

On 26 December 2004, an earthquake of 9.1 on the Richter scale caused a devastating tsunami in the Indian Ocean. Aceh Province in Indonesia, near the epicenter, was the worst-hit area with almost 500 miles of shoreline destroyed by the tsunami, with 635,384 internally-displaced people, and more than 127,000 lost lives.

The crisis immediately drew national and international sympathy. Aid was flown in from all parts of the world. Reports say that during the emergency period, which extended to 31 March 2005, there were a total of 6,000 military personnel from Indonesia and other countries, including the United States, working around the clock to provide assistance. When the emergency phase ended, the government of Indonesia formed an ad hoc Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Agency (BRR NAD-Nias), mandated to implement and coordinate rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts.

Under the coordination of BRR, over 90 percent of international aid pledges materialized as projects within four years. This was a significant achievement considering Indonesia’s never-ending battle against corruption. The effective leadership of BRR was cited as a crucial factor in gaining trust from the donor communities, regardless if they were local, national, or international.

Toward the end of BRR’s mandate on 16 April 2009, Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono expressed his deepest gratitude to the national and international communities who had invested their efforts to rebuild Aceh. BRR has captured all lessons learned in a book series that may be downloaded at no cost from their website (http://know.brr.go.id/dc/BRR_Book_Series/EN/).

The tsunami practically destroyed almost all the west coast of Aceh Province, Indonesia.

One of the common sights after the tsunami.

Life in one of the temporary shelter compounds.

Bill Clinton, as UN Special Envoy for Tsunami Reconstruction, on his visit to Aceh in November 2005. His visits to the tsunami-struck region helped keep the world’s eyes on the reconstruction efforts.

Reconstruction initiatives are discussed even at the village level. This is a village meeting in Rumpit Village, West Aceh.

The UN Resident Coordinator for Indonesia leading a UN internal coordination meeting to discuss more integrated efforts in rebuilding Aceh.

The World Bank Country Director for Indonesia and Aceh Vice Governor in a regular Multi Donor Fund coordination meeting to discuss reconstruction projects.

Newly built dikes along the west coast of Banda Aceh.

A song that was taught in an elementary school, asking students to be alert in saving lives.

More mangroves were planted to mitigate future disaster.

New homes for villagers of Rumpit were donated by a small American nongovernmental organization, the Building the Bridges Foundation.

The villagers of Rumpit Village, West Aceh were happy to move out of tents into their new homes.

Elementary students of a public school excitedly wave at visitors on the inauguration day for their new school, built by UNICEF.

Sharing lessons learned, the success stories and the not-so-successful ones, was part of “educating” Indonesians about humanitarian and development initiatives.

A women’s group proudly showcases its products, handmade footwear supported by a World Vision livelihood assistance program.

The Indonesian president, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, addressed the international and national donor community in a...