ak Usman and Ibu Norlatifa live in one room of a housing barracks with their 5 children. They are lucky to have all survived, although their oldest was killed some years ago in the separatist conflict. Before the tsunami, they lived in Lamkrut Village. It is completely gone now. Pak Usman is a Community Coordinator in the barracks, and his wife Ibu Norlatifa earns some income by making and selling snacks.

“I am a fisherman,” said Pak Usman. “I had a boat, it is now gone. I was fishing in the water when the tsunami came. I was very frightened for my family but, as a Muslim, I left it up to God. Many of my friends were killed, ones in different boats. I was swept away, I had to swim and walk home. Luckily, my wife and children were out of town, and so they survived too.
Pak Usman speaks with Red Cross Volunteer about conditions in the community

“At first, I stayed with relatives. Everyone was helping each other. After a week, the NGOs started coming.

“Now, there is enough school, but we need money for school. There are donations for orphans but not the other kids. The government gives some relief money to people, but it is too small, and only for two months.

“We were always poor people, but we had more help before. My brother was rich, he even had a car. There are no more relatives to rely on anymore, only ourselves. Now we must be the supporters. In addition to our children, we care for nieces and nephews whose parents died.

“We do not have enough space for everyone in the barrack. We would also like a livelihoods program. We need capital to start a small business.

“Palang Merah Indonesia are our brothers.”