World Must Keep Focused on Tsunami Relief, Says CWS Head
"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.''
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 after a weeklong tour of the Indonesian province.
"Survivors in Aceh are beginning to pick up their lives, but the needs continue to be almost overwhelming,” said CWS Executive Director Rev. John L. McCullough. “This territory cannot be left idle or left in the lurch to rebuild.”
Although it has been well over a month since the deadly South Asia earthquake and tsunami devastated coastlines around the Indian Ocean, “Recovery of the dead is still going on–and the international community is very much involved,” McCullough said.
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"But the world community must stay focused and present for what will be long-term recovery in these worst-hit tsunami regions.”
McCullough echoed a plea from the United Nations 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.
"Because of the magnitude of impact in places like Aceh province, we just can't afford to neglect long-term development with this catastrophe,” stated McCullough.
During his tour of Aceh, McCullough said, "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?" McCullough asked.
In 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.
The CWS director said he left Aceh feeling "extraordinary gratitude for our Indonesia staff, its leadership, high level of skills, and commitment to mission.
"The challenge is to balance the needs of our ongoing programs in the region, such as our Indonesia AIDS education program, while dedicating staff to tsunami," the CWS head stated.
CWS Indonesia Director Maurice Bloem, who also traveled with McCullough during the week-long tour of Aceh, 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 continuing 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.
