On 26 December 2004, the world witnessed one of the worst humanitarian crises in history—the Indian Ocean Tsunami. Aceh, Indonesia, was the hardest hit. In Indonesia alone, the casualties reached an estimated 170,000, leaving a lasting impact on the region and its people. Here, we share conversations and reflections with our colleagues in Indonesia as they look back 20 years ago.
Facing the immediate aftermath
“I arrived in Aceh in mid-January 2005, and what I witnessed was beyond anything I could have imagined. The devastation stretched as far as the eye could see—entire buildings flattened, open fields where houses and buildings once stood, and bodies everywhere. The scale of destruction felt like all hope for life was gone,” said Renee Picasso Manoppo, Humanitarian and Emergency Response Manager at Yayasan CARE Peduli (CARE Indonesia).
Although he wasn’t with CARE when the tsunami struck, Renee was working in the humanitarian sector, contributing to the global effort to save lives in Indonesia. “My work focused on distributing aid to meet urgent needs, particularly water and food supplies, with water being in especially high demand. Most of our efforts were concentrated in Banda Aceh, Calang, and Meulaboh.
The responding process presented significant challenges, especially regarding shelters. Relocating people to new areas was difficult, and the legal aspects of rebuilding homes were difficult, as many homes were completely destroyed. Infrastructure was in ruins, and communication relied solely on satellite phones or Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) technology, as all other signals were down. This made coordination extremely challenging, particularly as it was Indonesia’s first experience with a disaster of this magnitude. The logistical demands were immense, with hundreds of aid flights arriving daily in Banda Aceh, creating bottlenecks and further complicating distribution efforts,” Renee recalled.
The challenges and recovery
By 2006, during the recovery phase, devastation was still visible. “Ships rested on top of houses, and massive vessels were stranded in the middle of the city,” said Awalia Murtiana, Program Manager at Yayasan CARE Peduli (CARE Indonesia). “During my time there, earthquakes were frequent and unpredictable -happening during lunch, while sleeping, or even in meetings. They didn’t last long, but many residents were still deeply traumatized whenever the ground shook,” she recalled.
Although Awalia was not with CARE at that time, her work focused on addressing reproductive health issues in tsunami-affected areas including strengthening the capacity of local districts to manage reproductive health data systems, and distributing essential reproductive health kits to affected communities.
“During the rebuilding process, local residents initially struggled to adapt to the influx of volunteers and workers from around the world. However, the immense need for local labor fostered resilience among the community. Many women took on roles such as security guards and other jobs. It was enlightening to see women, who traditionally worked in the fields, embracing these non-traditional roles.” Awalia recalled.
Aceh Today – A legacy of resilience
“The progress in Aceh is extraordinary,” Renee said. “Community-based disaster risk reduction has expanded significantly, and disaster preparedness is now deeply ingrained in the community. The Aceh Disaster Management Agency (BPBA) is highly active, with evacuation facilities, routes, and signs established throughout the region. Schools have even incorporated disaster response into their curricula, ensuring children are better equipped to face future crises,” he continues.
The Aceh Tsunami Museum serves as a poignant reminder of the past, a place where visitors can confront the magnitude of the tragedy and learn from its lessons. ” Aceh has come a long way. it has emerged stronger and better prepared to face future challenges,” Awalia added.
CARE Indonesia responded immediately to the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami, delivering lifesaving aid and driving long-term recovery efforts for impacted communities. The program reached over 350,000 people in Aceh, providing clean water, sanitation, housing, livelihood support, and health services. Completed in 2009, the tsunami program laid the foundation for ongoing efforts, with CARE Indonesia continuing to support vulnerable communities and strengthen their resilience against future disasters.
Image from Indonesia: Click here
Photo credit: Renee Picasso Manoppo / May 2005