“It has been an interesting experience,” says Charles Aurouet, a construction delegate for the French Red Cross in Pidie district of the Indonesian Aceh province. “We have learned a lot during our work in Indonesia.”
Mr. Aurouet is very busy these days. “There’s still two weeks of work left, but I am confident that all work will finish in June,” he says while keeping a watchful eye on the progress. The Indonesian and French Red Cross societies are finishing work on rehabilitating a junior high school in Pidie.
After three years, the French Red Cross is concluding its humanitarian programme in Pidie district, where most of its biggest operations have been based. More than 20 large scale water and well projects have been completed, with the Red Cross Red Crescent aiding numerous communities by implementing hygiene promotion, potable water distribution, and waste water and solid waste management. As part of its permanent water supply programme, the Red Cross Red Crescent has established reservoirs in several places that benefit 11,185 people in six villages in Pidie.
Munir, a senior water and sanitation programme officer of French Red Cross, explained that the reservoirs are fed through a gravitational flow system. “In some cases, the reservoirs are up to four kilometers from the villages,” he said.
In order to keep the programme sustainable, selected communities are trained as water committee members. Chosen by the villagers themselves, the water committees are responsible to supervise and maintain the system. Therefore, the techniques used are as simple as possible for the committee to operate.
“The system is so easy, I just need to turn on the button and the villagers can enjoy the high quality water,” explained 60-year-old Ruslidan, a father of ten children.
The water committee named ‘Ie Glee’- spring water in Acehnese- was established one year ago. The committee’s members also manage waste as part of hygiene promotion programme in the communities by working closely with authorities in the villages.
“Since the beginning, the water committee has been working with the local government, helping develop strong coordination between both parties,” said Mr. Munir.
The Red Cross Red Crescent programme in Pidie district is not only reaching the target communities, but also the surrounding people.
Darma Indra, a tsunami survivor from the neighbouring village of Blang Paseh, is not among the targeted beneficiaries of the Red Cross housing programme yet he and many others are now able to have access to clean water. “I thank Red Cross. Now my family, myself and other neighbours are able to access good quality water,” he said.
Seeing communities and local government work together with the Red Cross has been an exciting experience for many in the French Red Cross. “The most interesting part is how the French and Indonesian Red Cross societies have worked together to built upon the capacity of local communities, and together we have learnt a lot along the way,” says Sèbastièn Sujobert, head of the French Red Cross sub-delegation. “We feel a strong attachment to Indonesia and its people.”
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The Indonesian and French Red Cross societies are finishing the construction of over 300 houses and the rehabilitation of a junior high school in Benteng, Blok Bengkel and Blang Paseh villages of Pidie District. (p17791)
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More than 20 large scale water and well projects have been completed, with the Red Cross Red Crescent aiding numerous communities by implementing hygiene promotion, potable water distribution, and waste water and solid waste management. As part of its permanent water supply programme, the Red Cross Red Crescent has established reservoirs in several places that benefit 11,185 people in six villages in Pidie. (p17803)
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Munir, a senior water and sanitation programme officer of French Red Cross, explained that the reservoirs are fed through a gravitational flow system. “In some cases, the reservoirs are up to four kilometers from the villages,” he said. (p17802)
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Darma Indra, a tsunami survivor from the neighbouring village of Blang Paseh, is not among the targeted beneficiaries of the Red Cross housing programme yet he and many others are now able to have access to clean water. “I thank Red Cross. Now my family, myself and other neighbours are able to access good quality water,” he said. (p17800)
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Seeing communities and local government work together with the Red Cross has been an exciting experience for many in the French Red Cross. “The most interesting part is how the French and Indonesian Red Cross societies have worked together to built upon the capacity of local communities, and together we have learnt a lot along the way,” says Sèbastièn Sujobert, head of the French Red Cross sub-delegation. (p17806)
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