Tsunami disaster: The unifying power of tragedy

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).