20 months have passed since the Sumatra Earthquake and Tsunami disaster which took more than 220,000 people's lives. Started with the relief operations immediately after Tsunami, the Japan Red Cross Society (JRCS) is now engaged in longer-term support projects aimed at the recovery and reconstruction of the affected areas and its people.
Indonesia Handover at Simeulue Island
In Indonesia, the JRCS has carried out the Housing Construction Project in Ache Barat District and Simeulue Island and in the middle of this August, 86 houses were completed in Simeulue Island and a handover ceremony was held.
One of the participants of the ceremony, Yutaka Oiwa, Head of the JRCS Delegation in Indonesia, said, "During the ceremony, some residents we handed houses over to were so pleased they were in tears. It was a good opportunity for me to reconfirm the importance of securing residences in which people can live with a sense of security."
It was not an easy path until arriving at this day. In particular, the selection of beneficiaries took a long time until settling the disputes over the interests of the people. At the beginning of the project, objections came from the people who failed to be selected as residents of the houses.
The JRCS delegates have been engaged in the discussions and meetings a number of times to achieve mutual understanding between the related parties including local government and communities. In terms of legal and administrative measures, due consideration was made to take the necessary procedures, such as concluding handover agreements with the residents. These efforts have been an important lesson not only for the JRCS but also for other supporting organizations working in the similar circumstances.
Sri Lanka Moving in postponed due to worsening security
The housing construction project in Sri Lanka has began last October. Construction has progressed in four areas of the Trincomalee district, and 62 houses have been built at the first working site, Randith Kodikara Land. However, due to worsening of security in the Trincomalee district since July, the delivery and ceremony have been kept on hold.
There have been ongoing conflicts between the Sri Lankan government and the rebel Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam LTTE over separation of the north- east region for the last twenty years in this district, and even after the ceasefire agreement in 2002, the peace process has had difficulties.
Since the New Year, the security has worsened, and the opportunity to enter the site has been restricted, not only for Red Cross delegates, but also for building contractors. The schedule of housing construction work has been gradually delayed, but finally houses have been built under these difficult conditions.
However, late in July, just before the delivery, the conflict between the Sri Lankan government troops and the LTTE had worsened in the Trincomalee district, and all the delegates from the Red Cross were forced to evacuate. The number of deaths from July reached 1,500 and about 50,000 people from the district have been taken to shelters. Until today, there is no outlook for recovery of security.
Ms. Masumi Yamashina, a member of the JRCS, who has been preparing for the livelihood support operations for move-in families in the Trincomalee district, said,"People of the community who have been living difficult lives since the Tsunami, have dreamed of their houses being built. Now we cannot even step in Trincomalee but must just watch the situation of the site while contacting local officials in Colombo." Although still under these difficult circumstances, members of the Japanese Red Cross have been helping the local people return to their houses as soon as possible.