Residents
in Indonesia marked the start of the Islamic New Year on 31
January, 2006. Muslims consider this to be a period of solemn
reflection and a chance to spend time with friends and family.
But for people in the province of Aceh, who have been working
to rebuild their lives following the tsunami, the New Year also
brings new hope for a brighter future, thanks to the Red Cross
Red Crescent.
Yusuf, his wife and their two children put on their traditional
colourful Achenese clothes and join their friends and neighbours
to mark the Islamic New Year holiday. For 46-year-old Yusuf,
it is both a time to reflect on the past and to look forward
to the future.
“It was not like this last year… we were still in
a state of shock,” Yusuf recalls, thinking of the destruction
wrought by the tsunami. He looks around and hugs his 12-year-old
son close to his chest. Tears flow down the man’s cheeks
as he describes the day the sea swept away almost everything
he treasured, including three of his children. “Buildings,
houses and trees were smashed to pieces,” he says. “I
thought I heard my three daughters screaming for help but I
didn’t know where they were… so I held on tight
to my two youngest children as my wife fought for her life.”
More than a year after the tsunami, Yusuf continues to grieve
for his girls but as the New Year arrives, he dries his tears
and vows to cherish and take care of his wife and remaining
children.
Later, Yusuf joins his neighbours at the Lampulo Harbour in
Banda Aceh, where a brand new blue and white boat, aptly named
Uro Baroe, or New Day, proudly stands in the shipyard. Other
men, who share ownership of the boat with Yusuf, gather around
to explore and admire their precious vessel. They talk excitedly
about the prospects for good deep-sea fishing and better earnings
in the future.
As an experienced fisherman, Yusuf relied mainly on fishing
to provide for his family and pay for his children’s schooling.
But his dreams were shattered along with his boat during the
tsunami. There have been many times since the tsunami when Yusuf
has cursed the sea and the destruction it brought to Aceh and
his family. Yet he recognizes that it is also the source of
his livelihood and he knows that the Uro Baroe will allow him
to once again take care of his loved ones.
Many of the fishermen who share the boat also tell tales of
loss and despair. They, too, are trying to rebuild their lives
and their livelihoods after losing their loved ones. “For
the first time, I feel alive again,” says Martan, who
lost his wife in the tsunami. “Now I can look forward
to buying clothes for my children and sending them to school.”
Yusuf and Martan are just two of the 289 fishermen who are benefiting
from the Red Cross and Red Crescent Maritime Programme, which
is rebuilding 17 large traditional boats to be used by survivors
of the tsunami. The vessels are specifically designed for deep-sea
fishing and custom-fitted for catching large tuna weighing up
to 200 kilos each, using line and tackle rather than nets.
Spearheaded by the Belgian Red Cross, the initiative is being
carried out under a cooperative scheme which will also benefit
around 1,500 fisher-family members.
Antoine Munoz, a fisheries specialist who heads the € 900,000
programme, says the project provides “more than boats”.
His years of experience working on Belgian fishing cooperatives
prompted him to introduce a similar model in Aceh.
“The boats are just the entry point,” he explains.
“We are looking at an extended livelihood programme that
will benefit more people and help boost the economy of the community
as a whole.” Antoine says that in addition to making communities
more self-reliant, cooperatives also foster unity and teamwork
among villagers, while helping individuals develop their sense
of self-esteem. “Most importantly, they give fishermen
joint ownership of the project,” he adds.
Before the tsunami, many boats belonged to a single owner, who
received the largest share of the revenue, while most fishermen
earned little more than a dollar a day. But Antoine says cooperatives
allow fishermen to share a boat and the proceeds, which can
increase their income fivefold.
“With the industry in their hands, the fishermen and their
families can look forward to getting social insurance, health
benefits and saving money for emergencies,” he adds.
Yusuf and the rest of the fishermen, who have gathered around
Antoine, nod their heads in agreement. Feeling the cool breeze
on his face, Yusuf gazes at the sea for a long time before turning
towards the boat.
“Uro Baroe is the key to our new hope and a new life,”
he says. “This year will be a happy new year thanks to
the Red Cross and Red Crescent.”
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“All
for one, one for all for a New Day” shouts Antoine,
the Indonesian Red Cross volunteers and fishermen as they
push the 17-meter Uro Baroe to the sea during its launch
on 28 January 2006. (p13752)
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Indonesian
Red Cross volunteers help fishermen push the boat to the
sea. (p13751)
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Beneficiaries
are happy to share ownership of the boat , thanks to the
Red Cross and Red Crescent maritime programme. (p13755)
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