Indonesia

The earthquake and tsunami of 26 December 2004 produced a natural disaster of unprecedented scale. With a quarter of a million people dead and hundreds and thousands more displaced.

Emergencies such as this disrupt children’s lives, removing them from the routines that make them feel safe and secure. Many children experienced the death of a loved one and others were separated from their families. Without the guidance and protection of their families, children became victims of violence, exploitation, trafficking, discrimination and other abuses.

Since 2004 many children have now been reunited with their primary caregivers, but there are still approximately 2400 orphaned and vulnerable children that have been identified in the Aceh region of Indonesia.

Reconstruction of towns and villages has been ongoing, but equally essential is the reconstruction of communities and individual lives. Indonesia is an ethnically diverse country and is also plagued by recurring political and inter-communal conflict. Forced relocation caused by the tsunami has resulted in many of these rival communities living alongside one another.