 Operation
Blessing Adopts Indonesian Villages
Operation Blessing relief and medical teams were quickly dispatched after
the tsunami’s waves engulfed Indonesia’s west coast. Now four
months later, survivors continue to need help rebuilding their homes, livelihoods
and communities. We are committed to seeing these families succeed and have
established a long term presence in six villages in the Aceh Province -
Panga, Rigah, Rentang, Lhok Kruet, Lamno and Lhoong.
Lhok Kruet was home to 18,320 people before the tsunami. The waves took
16,820 of their lives, leaving 1,500 grief-stricken and homeless. When our
teams reached their village in January, total destruction surrounded them.
Not one building was left standing. Survivors lived under the sky, trying
to live one more day.
OB teams arrived by helicopter and ship. We began treating the sick and
injured as well as bringing in food and emergency supplies. Survivors received
tents, kitchen utensils, toiletries and kerosene. Food supplies were given
out every three days.
“We have to start our life from beginning, everything were gone,
but OB been here with us, bringing what we need,” shared Djailani
Usman, Lhok Kruet’s leader.
Seeing the people’s on-going needs, we set up a post in Lhok Kruet
on February 18th. Three of our staff live there and lead all of our outreach
activities in the village. This post has a free medical clinic and warehouse.
In addition, we have been running a cash-for-work program for two months.
Everyday we are paying 144 unemployed survivors to clean up and remove
debris so construction projects can begin. We have equipped them with
chainsaws, wheelbarrows, hoes, shovels, and brooms. With cleanup almost
done, these workers will begin to build houses in May!
The people of Lhok Kruet represent the thousands of tsunami survivors
still needing our help. Operation Blessing is committed, but we need your
help.
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