Press Release from Church World Service
February 10, 2005
NEW YORK – The devastation at every level of life is so profound in Aceh province that the world cannot leave the tsunami-ruined Indonesian region to rebuild on its own, the head of international humanitarian agency Church World Service said today.
Returning from a week-long visit to Indonesia a month after the deadly Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami, CWS Executive Director Rev. John L. McCullough says, "Survivors in Aceh are beginning to pick up their lives, but the needs continue to be almost overwhelming. This territory cannot be left idle or left in the lurch to rebuild.
"Recovery of the dead is still going on–and the international community is very much involved," McCullough said. "But the world community must stay focused and present for what will be long-term recovery in these worst-hit tsunami regions.
"In (Aceh's provincial capital) Banda Aceh," he said, "there is still only one street. Everything else was destroyed. They will be rebuilding on a cemetery in Banda Aceh, because all that is left are irretrievable body parts. We cannot leave them with this."
McCullough echoes a plea from the United Nations today for world governments to keep their pledge promises for tsunami recovery. According to the UN, almost two-thirds of the money promised by governments to help the millions of people affected by the tsunami has yet to be received by the UN.
As has happened in previous disasters, some countries have failed to contribute the funds pledged. So far, only $US360 million has been received–little more than a third of the total $US977 million needed for the projected first six months of emergency phase relief work. *
Says CWS's McCullough, "Because of the magnitude of impact in places like Aceh province, we just can't afford to neglect long-term development with this catastrophe."
Psychological dimensions different from anything previously experienced
"The psychosocial dimensions we found in Aceh province," McCullough reported, "are different from anything experienced in the past." Those dimensions, he says, "must be the undergirding to help these people return to sustainable self-sufficiency. It's one thing to recover from a horrific tragedy, from great personal loss, but another to rebuild lives literally on top of soil that has been destroyed.
During his tour of Aceh, McCullough says, "Even a month into recovery, all the images we saw in the media, all of the preparation we received did nothing to prepare me for what I saw.
"I saw a young girl four or five years old--a symbol of what has happened. She lost both parents. Her house is gone. She was taken in by a family in one of the camps for displaced people. She still exhibits the playful characteristics of children.
"How do kids do it? She is in a strange environment. But she’s cared for. What will be the final outcome? Will a family member surface? How will it work out?"
UN, aid agencies, Indonesian government: "Tightened, coordinated work now"
Responding to recent reports that aid efforts and supply distribution were being hampered by disorganization and a surfeit of inexperienced non-governmental organizations (NGOs), McCullough said, "The work is now effectively tightened and coordinated between UN agencies, the Indonesian government, sectoral working groups, and those aid agencies working in Aceh."
McCullough said CWS's work had been well coordinated from the outset of its response, immediately following the disaster, due to the agency's longstanding and large Indonesian staff, including experience and partners in the heretofore government-restricted Aceh province.
McCullough said he left Aceh feeling "extraordinary gratitude for our Indonesia staff, its leadership, high level of skills, and commitment to mission.
"The challenge," he said, "is to balance the needs of our ongoing programs in the region, such as our Indonesia AIDS education program, while dedicating staff to tsunami."
Traveling with McCullough, CWS Indonesia Director Maurice Bloem said the agency is delivering and installing such first-stage reconstruction assistance as water purification and sanitation equipment and is refining further recovery programs.
CWS is also continuting to deliver emergency aid in the region. Reports continue to indicate possible malnutrition among affected children in Aceh. Last week, over two days, the agency's Indonesia team in Banda Aceh and local NGO partner Mamamia distributed instant food and rice packets, and CWS Blankets and Health Kits to 1,119 displaced people.
An ocean freighter, scheduled to leave the U.S. on Monday, Feb. 14, for Indonesia, carries a CWS shipment of disaster kits valued at $1,110,900. The shipment will provide 14,325 CWS "Gift of the Heart" School Kits (valued at $157,575), 56,475 Health Kits (valued at $677,700), and 7,875 Baby Kits (valued at $275,625).
CWS airlifts to Aceh last week included 2,000 Health Kits, 2,000 School Kits, 2,000 Baby Kits, and 980 Heart-to-Heart Kids Kits.
CWS's mobile medical unit continues to deliver care in Luthu Lamleu, Suka Makmur sub-district, Aceh Besar district, and reports a significant number of children with worms in the district.
Since the deadly quake and tsunami hit South Asia and coastal East Africa, Church World Service has shipped more than $3.5 million in material aid to affected areas and has received to date more than $4 million in cash contributions
CWS's new donors increased tenfold over usual monthly norm
"Between December 27--the day after the tsunami hit--and January 31, the number of new contributors to Church World Service increased tenfold over the agency's usual monthly increase," reports Rev. Peter D. Crouch, CWS Chief Development Officer.
Grassroots groups still mounting fundraising for CWS tsunami funds
Across the U.S., scores of community groups are still gaining momentum in mounting an unprecedented outpouring of help, says Crouch.
One project in the planning is targeted solely at survivors' health care. A student nurses' association here in the U.S. may mount a campaign to support the CWS Indonesia mobile health clinics now dispensing medical care and trauma counseling on-the-go throughout Aceh province.
Church World Service's Crouch says, "We estimate that it will take about $100,000 for our mobile clinic and clinicians to continue providing health care needs for those in our coverage area in Aceh, throughout the rest of 2005. Having that project supported even in part by student nurses associations is a perfect fit."
CWS emergency aid, reconstruction, and long-term recovery plans are also continuing in Sri Lanka.
* Source: UN Update on Indonesia and Tsunami/Situation report No. 24 4 February
