Prayers mark tsunami anniversary
A'an Suryana and Nani Afrida, The Jakarta Post, Banda Aceh
Tearful mourners gathered here on Monday to offer prayers and lay flowers on the first anniversary of the Indian Ocean tsunami, one of the world's deadliest natural disasters.
Commemorations were similarly held in other countries affected by the horrific tidal waves, with survivors, relatives and other mourners remembering the more than 220,000 people killed, including Aceh's toll of 126,000 dead and 37,000 others listed as missing.
"One year after the disaster, there is still much to be done," President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said while leading an emotional ceremony with a minute of silence in the provincial capital of Banda Aceh at 8:16 a.m., when the wave struck on Dec. 26, 2004.
"Let's now bow our heads in silence to pray for the souls of those who lost their lives ... May they rest in peace by God's side," he told the crowd of around 800 locals and foreign dignitaries who gathered in Ulee Lheue district, Banda Aceh, to mark the anniversary.
Susilo then sounded a wailing siren, which was installed as part of an early warning system to alert people prior to natural disasters.
In the neighboring West Sumatra capital of Padang, the government on Monday tested its newly installed warning system for the first time. Thousands of residents moved to higher ground at Gunung Pangilun when blaring sirens were sounded during the simulation.
The commemoration came amid lingering concerns over some 67,000 survivors still living in tents and barracks across Aceh, despite huge amounts of money channeled into Indonesia for them by international donors. The disaster displaced some 500,000 people.
"I don't know for how long I must stay here. My house was swept away by the tsunami," said Nadiah, who is now staying with family in a barrack in Lambaro, Aceh Besar regency.
Besides housing, survivors are also in need of assurances of job sustainability, with reconstruction projects creating short- term employment only.
Inflation has been running particularly high over the past few months, pushing people further into poverty.
Infrastructure recovery has been slow as 3,000 kilometers of roads, airports, sea ports and farms were destroyed when the tsunami slammed into an 800-km band of the province's coastline.
Many roads are still impassable with only 235 km restored. Some 1,620 bridges were wrecked but only 35 arterial bridges have been rebuilt, according to data from the Aceh-Nias Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Agency (BRR).
The task is daunting but Indonesia is not alone in its reconstruction efforts. Many countries and institutions, including the United Nations and the United States, have promised to continue providing aid for Aceh.
The pledges were reiterated by UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, UN Special Envoy for Tsunami Recovery Bill Clinton, U.S. President George W. Bush and Australian Prime Minister John Howard through pre-recorded messages of support broadcast in Banda Aceh.
They also praised the Indonesian government for taking a leadership role in coordinating relief operations and tsunami recovery programs.
In response, President Susilo expressed gratitude to all countries and parties that had been helping rebuild Aceh. "My appeal to you is to keep this flame of goodwill alive. Do not let it fizzle."
In the event, Susilo also handed over a token of gratitude for local parties involved in Aceh's humanitarian assistance and reconstruction, including the military, police and other government agencies as well as non-governmental organizations.
From Sweden, where he has been living for decades in self- exile, Free Aceh Movement (GAM) prime minister Malik Mahmud thanked donors, international organizations, the Indonesian government and all parties that had helped Aceh.
He called on them to maintain "honesty" in implementing the Aug. 15 peace agreement signed by the Indonesian government and GAM.