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People around Aceh Tamiang have been trying to salvage their possessions. Thousands of cars and motorbikes line the streets, most of them damaged beyond repair.
People around Aceh Tamiang have been trying to salvage their possessions. Thousands of cars and motorbikes line the streets, most of them damaged beyond repair. [Jessica Washington/Al Jazeera]
Lia’s tent is located on the ruins of her village, where 40 houses once stood. With stagnant water surrounding them, the spread of mosquito-borne diseases is a serious concern, for health authorities and parents alike. “I always hold him at night because I’m afraid of the mosquitoes,” she said. The family said they don’t have sufficient food, but they have no means to go anywhere else.
Lia’s tent is located on the ruins of her village, where 40 houses once stood. With stagnant water surrounding them, the spread of mosquito-borne disease is a serious concern for health authorities and parents alike. “I always hold him at night because I’m afraid of the mosquitoes,” she said. The family said they don’t have sufficient food, but they have no means to go anywhere else. [Jessica Washington/Al Jazeera]
Thousands of logs washed up, pushed into villages during the floods. Environmental groups say deforestation on the island of Sumatra has made communities more vulnerable to extremely severe natural disasters because the capacity of the ecosystem to absorb water has been undermined.
Thousands of logs washed up, pushed into villages during the floods. Environmental groups say deforestation on the island of Sumatra has made communities more vulnerable to extremely severe natural disasters because the capacity of the ecosystem to absorb water has been undermined. [Jessica Washington/Al Jazeera]
Suyani has been staying in a makeshift tent on a bridge, assembled from plastic sheets, since her home was destroyed. Food aid has begun to arrive, but she hopes for more help. She has nothing to sleep on but cardboard, and all her possessions have been ruined. “I saw houses swept away right in front of my eyes. These past few days, around dusk, those memories come back. If assistance is possible, please put us somewhere proper, or at least clean this place. I’ve had a fever for two days already,” she said.
Suyani has been staying in a makeshift tent on a bridge, assembled from plastic sheets, since her home was destroyed. Food aid has begun to arrive, but she hopes for more help. She has nothing to sleep on but cardboard, and all her possessions have been ruined. “I saw houses swept away right in front of my eyes. These past few days, around dusk, those memories come back. If assistance is possible, please put us somewhere proper, or at least clean this place. I’ve had a fever for two days already,” she said. [Jessica Washington/Al Jazeera]
Indonesia’s Disaster Mitigation Agency head, Suharyanto, said the affected provinces will require $3.11 billion in reconstruction and recovery funds, following the devastating floods and landslides. Among the affected provinces, Aceh requires the most funds.
Indonesia’s Disaster Mitigation Agency head, Suharyanto, said the affected provinces will require $3.11bn in reconstruction and recovery funds, following the devastating floods and landslides. Among the affected provinces, Aceh requires the most funds. [Jessica Washington/Al Jazeera]
The Governor of Aceh, Muzakir Manaf, stated that entire villages in Aceh Tamiang Regency now “exist only by name”, after being totally wiped out by floods.
The governor of Aceh, Muzakir Manaf, stated that entire villages in Aceh Tamiang regency now “exist only by name”, after being totally wiped out by floods. [Jessica Washington/Al Jazeera]
In Aceh, several regents wrote letters to Jakarta, noting they were overwhelmed by the scale of the disaster and did not have the resources to meet the needs of all the displaced persons.
In Aceh, several regents wrote letters to Jakarta, noting they were overwhelmed by the scale of the disaster and did not have the resources to meet the needs of all the displaced persons. [Jessica Washington/Al Jazeera]
Although there are hundreds of people seeking shelter in the same location, there is no toilet nearby. NGOs, including Save the Children Indonesia, have noted the spread of illness among those seeking shelter, especially children.
Although there are hundreds of people seeking shelter in the same location, there is no toilet nearby. NGOs, including Save the Children Indonesia, have noted the spread of illness among those seeking shelter, especially children. [Jessica Washington/Al Jazeera]
The floods and landslides mark the deadliest disaster in Indonesia since the 2018 earthquake and tsunami in Sulawesi.
The floods and landslides mark the deadliest disaster in Indonesia since the 2018 earthquake and tsunami in Sulawesi. [Jessica Washington/Al Jazeera]
With no schools operating in Aceh Tamiang, children have nothing to do but wait around at shelters.
With no schools operating in Aceh Tamiang, children have nothing to do but wait around at shelters. [Jessica Washington/Al Jazeera]
Siti Fatimah said she was separated from her husband and her parents when floods hit her village. “The water was still high for some days, so I couldn’t look for them. Then, when I went to find them, people said they hadn’t seen them anywhere. My house is gone too, I have nothing left,” she said.
Siti Fatimah said she was separated from her husband and her parents when floods hit her village. “The water was still high for some days, so I couldn’t look for them. Then, when I went to find them, people said they hadn’t seen them anywhere. My house is gone, too. I have nothing left,” she said. [Jessica Washington/Al Jazeera]
Access to Aceh Tamiang had previously been cut off for several days, with roads damaged and blocked by debris.
Access to Aceh Tamiang had previously been cut off for several days, with roads damaged and blocked by debris. [Jessica Washington/Al Jazeera]
Aid, including food, medicine and water, have reached some but not all communities in need. In some parts of Aceh, including Bener Meriah, people continue to hike long distances just to secure food staples.
Aid, including food, medicine and water, have reached some but not all communities in need. In some parts of Aceh, including Bener Meriah, people continue to hike long distances just to secure food staples. [Jessica Washington/Al Jazeera]
More than 900,000 people have been displaced across three provinces.
More than 900,000 people have been displaced across three provinces. [Jessica Washington/Al Jazeera]
Aceh Tamiang Regency has a population of more than 300,000. Local authorities said every resident has been affected by the disaster in some way.
Aceh Tamiang regency has a population of more than 300,000. Local authorities said every resident has been affected by the disaster in some way. [Jessica Washington/Al Jazeera]
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