Tsunami disaster: The unifying power of tragedy

Jusuf Wanandi, Jakarta

The tsunami hit so suddenly and with such strength that many Indonesians were left dumbstruck for the first 24 hours.

In the beginning, the number of victims from Aceh and North Sumatra was thought to be much less, though the figure was already high enough to cause great concern, since many parts of Aceh are isolated physically, and the civil emergency had also isolated them politically and socially.

However, on the second day of the disaster, when reports surfaced of the scope of the damage, and estimates of the number of fatalities started to rise, Indonesians became united in their grief as they had not been since the struggle for independence between 1945-1950. One week on, the number of Indonesian deaths continues to climb toward a possible tally of 100,000. Millions of other lives are at risk as diseases spread and many people remain without shelter, enough food and water, and medical assistance.

The disaster is first and foremost a human disaster for the region, as well as for Indonesia, which is yet to fully recover from the crisis of 1997. All Indonesians feel the pain of the Acehnese and people of North Sumatra, because their suffering is so great. There are no words to describe their pain and suffering. The tears of so many Indonesians across the archipelago are a testimony to their solidarity with the Acehnese.

From the President, the vice president and members of the government down to the little people, empathy and sympathy have amply been shown. But Indonesians are also incredibly frustrated. There have been so many constraints in the distribution of aid, particularly in remote areas, because of the destruction and lack of infrastructure. Strong leadership has also been lacking in the coordination of aid distribution.

In view of the magnitude of this disaster, global humanitarian aid is vital -- to face the future, the aftermath of the catastrophe and its consequences. The world has shown ample sympathy and assistance. This is heartening and consoling to acknowledge.

This time politics do not interfere or limit the efforts to alleviate human suffering. As it should be, they are solely based on humanitarian considerations.

Aceh and the rest of Indonesia should come out of this disaster with a much better appreciation of each other. The grief of the Acehnese may be alleviated by the assistance, empathy, sympathy and solidarity of Indonesians, who have reached out to them with maximum effort during these difficult days.

Of course, the whole international community has been helpful and showed ample solidarity and empathy. It is hoped that the Acehnese find solace in the knowledge that the nation stands behind. Indonesians are painfully aware that they must help to prevent the onset of another tragedy, namely deaths caused by epidemics and starvation. The rest of Indonesia knows, and feels in their bones, that Aceh's and Sumatra's losses are their own -- and that they must reach out to them with every available means.

They could not do this before, as politics, pettiness and the arrogance that comes with power stood in their way. It is hoped that the attention and empathy of Jakarta -- representing the rest of Indonesia -- toward Aceh does not vanish after the worst is over. The same attitude should be taken toward other parts of Indonesia that have problems with Jakarta, particularly Papua.

An appeal should be made to Chinese-Indonesians to again show their solidarity with other nationals. They are very much a part of Indonesian society and many have done well economically. The incident of May 1998, which was a disaster created by man for many Chinese-Indonesians, should not be forgotten, but must be forgiven.

Social relations between indigenous Indonesians and Chinese- Indonesians have greatly improved now. However, below the surface there are still jealousies, misunderstandings, and prejudices among indigenous Indonesians. Perhaps, this can be overcome once a certain level of social justice is experienced by the majority of people, especially in terms of income and welfare.

There lies another opportunity for reconciliation. Chinese- Indonesians should show maximum empathy and solidarity with the Acehnese and Sumatrans. This calamity is going to last for several years to come. Initial aid must be followed by more costly, long-term rehabilitation efforts and the reconstruction of the region. Here big businesses and medium-sized ones, particularly those owned by Chinese-Indonesians, can play a significant role.

Some of the younger generation of Chinese-Indonesian businesspeople have proposed that more effective assistance could be given by acting as a "foster-parent" or the "facilitator" and "supporter" of individual districts in rebuilding efforts. In working with local administrations and people toward the reintegration of their districts into the regional and national economies, they can contribute toward efforts to ensure a better future for the Acehnese.

The local population will remember them not only as donors, but also as partners in the rebuilding of what they lost so tragically. Such good memories will stay for a longtime to come.

The writer is a co-founder and member of the board of trustees of the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).