A primary school student of SDN 8 Jeumpa, Biruen, shows her drawing. Save the Children reconstructed this school after the massive earthquake and also provided the desks and other furniture and learning equipment.

Nearly three years have passed since the earthquake and subsequent tsunami in December 2004 devastated the Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam (NAD) Province.  Over 290,000 beneficiaries received assistance through the Save the Children Alliance tsunami emergency response program.

Currently, Save the Children is rebuilding physical and social structures that were lost, disrupted or threatened by the tsunami disaster and the armed conflict.  While the majority of the estimated 650 organizations that provided assistance immediately following the disaster have left Aceh, Save the Children Alliance has made a long-term commitment to the province, recognizing that the needs of children in Aceh require deeper solutions.  Current program plans in five key sectors — child protection, education, health, food security and livelihoods — aim to ensure that the long-term needs of Aceh's children, their families and communities are addressed. We also remain committed to building 1,000 quality houses for families in need. Looking ahead, in addition to continuing our core programs, we are well on the way toward implementing Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) programs through community education and involvement.

Construction Success Story — "Constructing with the Community"

Child Protection

In the immediate aftermath of the tsunami, child protection interventions responded to the immediate issues facing children directly affected by the tsunami.  This included family tracing and reunification work, the establishment of safe play areas, allowing for the implementation of a range of psycho-social and recreational activities, and early childhood development activities to meet the developmental needs of young children. 

Children at the playground of the houses that Save the Children provided for communities in Pante Raja villabe, Aceh.

Currently, we are working to improve the quality of care in institutions, strengthen children's access to legal aid in guardianship cases, increase knowledge of and access to protection support systems, improve social policies and child protection environments and allow children and youth to have a voice in decisions that directly affect them.

Child Protection Success Story — "A Tribute to Training"

Education

Save the Children believes that every child should have the right to learn and develop to achieve full potential.  For this reason, Save the Children is building 41 schools in Aceh and is committed to ensuring that a complete package of educational opportunities are offered, including teacher training, school material donation, life skills and vocational courses for youth, school management training and inclusive education.  In addition to the 18 schools built and fully furnished, 494,894 textbooks and supply sets, along with 3,550 pieces of furniture have been supplied to schools for daily classroom use.

Education Success Story — "Embracing Inclusive Education"

Health

During the initial phase of the tsunami response, we provided vital support for emergency medical treatment by supporting field hospitals and clinics in addition to distributing first aid kits to survivors.  As we move into development programming, Save the Children is committed to building the capacity of local health providers, revitalizing posyandu (village health posts) for mothers and children and working to control diseases, such as malaria and polio.  As of September, well over 1,000 posyandu cadres/volunteers have been trained, 214 posyandu are supported and monitored monthly, and 33,697 individuals utilize posyandu services every month (approximately 157 individuals visit each posyandu per month).

Health Success Story — "Progress at the Posyandus"

Livelihoods

Save the Children aims to secure the economic well-being of vulnerable families, women and children in disaster-affected communities. During the emergency phase, 4,953 individuals benefited from the Economic Recovery Assistance (ERA) program, which provided grants and loans.

We also recognize that access to quality microfinance services is a critical component of economic security and we are committed to building the capacity of local institutions by promoting transparency, good governance and sustainable services.  As of September, savings and credit services have been provided to 1,109 women.  The repayment rate is 100%. 

Additionally, we are seeking to improve economic opportunities for women.  Our business development services offers skill development and technology transfer for child caregivers, allowing mothers the chance to become financially successful.  This project intends to empower 323 female pandan (dried grass) weavers to increase their household incomes. 

Livelihoods Success Story — "An Innovative Approach"

Food Security

As part of our emergency response, Save the Children distributed 45,995 metric tons of food to beneficiaries in the form of 3,678,695 individual rations.  Now, as we move into longer term food and nutrition initiatives for families, we are working to increase the demand for locally grown food by providing families and individuals with food vouchers redeemable at local shops and encouraging agricultural initiatives.  These activities aim to reach 220,000 beneficiaries (40,000 households) over a 3 year period.

Disaster Risk Reduction and Emergency Response

Save the Children initiated a Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) program in Lhokseumawe, North Aceh.  To accomplish this, we are working with children to map hazards in their communities, facilitating contingency planning and providing disaster simulations in schools and villages.  In addition, we are creating educational awareness campaigns and ensuring disaster preparedness is included in school curricula.