As
the people of the Indonesian island of Nias continue to rebuild
their lives one year after a massive earthquake devastated the
tranquil paradise on March 28, 2005, the International Federation
of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (Federation) continues
to honour its long-term commitment to the recovery of the disaster-stricken
families and their communities.
Based on a report from the Indonesian Government’s agency
for Reconstruction and Rehabilitation (BRR), the earthquake
measuring 8.7 on the Richter scale claimed 839 lives, injured
6,279 others and directly affected some 70,000 people.
The Federation and its members, along with its partners, has
vowed to complete its commitment to provide more than 1,750
steel-framed transitional shelters for the most vulnerable families
giving priority to those who remain in tents around the 10 sub-districts
of Nias. These shelters form part of a massive Federation-spearheaded
project aiming to construct 20,000 transitional shelters for
the most vulnerable people across tsunami-affected Sumatra.
At present, in partnership with the Indonesian Red Cross (Palang
Merah Indonesia-PMI), the Federation has completed 65 transitional
shelters in Pramuka camp and Olora-Islamic centre in the central
sub-district of Gunung Sitoli benefiting the same number of
families.
The Federation has also erected 187 transitional shelter frames
in other camps expected to be completed by April 2006. More
transitional shelters are ready to be put up in other areas
in collaboration with the Canadian Red Cross, UN Habitat and
Caritas Austria. Red Cross Red Crescent works in coordination
with BRR as well as the United Nations Office for Recovery Coordination.
Enormous logistical constraints
The logistical constraints of completing construction projects
on Nias are enormous. Everything – the cement, the bricks,
and the timber and the steel need to be brought from Aceh by
ship, making the process frustratingly laborious. “Our
commitment is to get those people who remain in tents into better
accommodation while their permanent houses are being built,
and we are happy we are moving faster now that the more materials
are arriving,” says Younos Karim, Federation head of office
in Nias.
One mother of seven who has a better outlook thanks to the project
is36-year-old Praha.“We are relieved now that we are in
a more stable and comfortable shelter,” she says, as she
sorts her children’s clothes in the cabinet. “Now
that we feel safer, we can sleep better.”
Red Cross Red Crescent Societies continue difficult reconstruction
work
As a major player in the reconstruction programme, the Australian
Red Cross, in partnership with Zero to One Foundation, has completed
a total of 254 permanent houses in the Sirombo sub-district
in the Midwestern coastal area of Nias.
The Canadian Red Cross is in the process of completing the requirements
for an ambitious project which will deliver 2,500 permanent
houses in the northern sub-districts of Lahewa and Afulu, two
of the worst hit and least accessible areas in Nias.
The Spanish Red Cross is to reconstruct 80 houses and ten schools
in villages in South Nias. Further, the Netherlands Red Cross
formed a consortium with the Belgian Red Cross and the Spanish
Red Cross for the construction of about 750 houses, four community
centres as well as water and sanitation facilities in 10 villages,
all in South Nias.
Simultaneous relief and recovery
At the same time as the difficult reconstruction work gathers
pace, the ongoing distribution of essential relief items to
some 31,000 families – more than 150,000 people –
in around 754 villages in 29 sub-districts in Nias continues.
To date, the Federation has transported to Nias 4,931 family
tents, 51,819 tarpaulins, 37,754 blankets, 59,864 food parcels,
29,226 kitchen sets, 26,432 hygiene kits, 1,500 family kits,
51,532 jerry cans, 65, 249 impregnated mosquito nets, 74,929
bed sheets and 195 recovery kits. (For more information on what
articles are contained in relief distribution parcels visit
our what
your donation buys web page).
Tragically, Indonesia is a very disaster-prone country, so it
is very important to work with communicates to prepare for nature’s
random fury. The Red Cross Red Crescent continues to recruit,
train and organize community-based volunteers who can be mobilized
for immediate response when disaster strikes. Also important
are the Integrated Community Based Risks Reduction projects,
including public awareness campaigns, the development of early
warning systems, the establishment of escape routes, and the
identification of safe shelters, which are being undertaken
in vulnerable communities. In addition, mangrove plantations
are being organized to mitigate against future disasters.
Critical to the long-term prosperity of Nias is the development
of sustainable livelihood support projects. Red Cross Red Crescent
is investigating small-scale income generating projects such
as embroidery, sewing, food processing, rubber farming, fishing
and poultry raising. Also vital is a secure and hygienic water
supply. The Federation works closely with PMI, the French Red
Cross and the Spanish Red Cross in providing access to safe
water and health and sanitation facilities to earthquake tsunami-affected
areas of the island.
While the full recovery of the lives livelihoods and economies
of Nias’ communities will take several years, the Federation
and its members will continue to work with affected populations
to ensure that this island paradise rises from the ruins, and
is better prepared to cope with future disasters.
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More
than 1,750 transitional shelters will be built in Nias
island, in an effort to provide more comfortable accomadation
for people affected by the earthquake tragedy of March
28, 2005, while their permanent houses are being constructed.
(p13848)
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Families
living in the transitional shelters say now that they
feel safer, they can sleep better. (p13849)
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Women
at the transitional shelters who are engaged in cottage
industries to earn a living show their products to Federation
workers. (p13850)
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Beneficiaries
ensure that roofs are sturdy enough to stand strong winds
and rains. (p13851)
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Beneficiaries
of transitional shelters, including young people, help
to build their new homes. (p13853)
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