In March, UUSC staff members Sofia Romero and Martha Thompson visited areas in Indonesia and Sri Lanka affected by the Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami of Dec. 26, 2004. They met with UUSC partners to discuss current efforts to provide relief for survivors and long-term support for rehabilitation.

To learn more about UUSC's work in these and other areas affected by the disaster, visit www.uusc.org/tsunami.

Indonesia

There is little that remains to show the lively fishing and farming communities that once dotted the Indonesian coastline. Where before there were homes, now there is dusty, bare land littered with debris.

Some were saved when they were washed into the hills by the waves. One survivor who was already in the hills when the tsunami hit witnessed everything. "I was in the hills when the tsunami came. I saw everything. If I had a video camera, I could show you what I saw. If you could look into my heart, I could show you what I saw."

The devastation on the coastal areas of Banda Aceh extends as far as the eye can see. For miles, the land is laid almost totally bare. Occasionally, there is a house or a mosque that is relatively intact.

Although discouraged by the government, many have started to move back to their villages. They have pitched tents in front of what was once their homes, reclaiming their land.

Three months after the devastating earthquake and tsunami, the city of Banda Aceh bustles with activity. Amid the buildings torn apart by the earthquake or rushing water there are signs of new construction and reconstruction. Racing in over 3 miles, the water reached into the heart of the city.

The mosque in the background is the biggest in Banda Aceh. Like many mosques, it is relatively intact. Many people survived the disaster by seeking refuge in mosques. This one was also used as a morgue in the aftermath of the disaster.

Zulkifli is a survivor from the village of Kampung Jawa. He and others in his village have been living in this camp for the internally displaced since December. Of the 3,325 villagers, only 1,400 survived.

Many in Kampung Jawa made their living as fisherfolk. Zulkifli worked making and repairing boats before his home and community were destroyed. He lost one son to the tsunami. Like others in the camp, he is anxious to return to his home and work.

Villagers from Lamtengu and Lamtutui are among those who have moved back to their lands. Only 249 of the 1300 villagers survived the tsunami. Of these, only 45 are women.

They have spent months painstakingly clearing and rebuilding their community. Baharuddiniz (center), the head of the village, is adamant about staying on the land. "We are willing to fight for it," he says. "It is our land, it is our lives."

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