Dateline ACT

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One-year tsunami commemorations marked by emotions and community spirit

Geneva, January 10, 2006—In the final days of 2005, as the world paused to remember the catastrophic events of the previous December, commemorations were held in the countries hit hardest by the December 26, 2004, tsunami. In Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Thailand and India – and across the world – those who had died were remembered. But of equal importance was the acknowledgment of the continued struggle of moving forward.

Fear and emotions fill tsunami commemorations in India

For many survivors in India, the events to mark the passing of one year since the tsunami were an emotional journey as they remembered those who had died and their own plight. In Chennai and other places, several memorial services took place. Processions, concerts, candlelight vigils, unveiling of memorials, planting of tree saplings and a variety of other events were held in the affected region.

The communities where the United Evangelical Lutheran Church in India (UELCI), a member of the global alliance Action by Churches Together (ACT) International, has been working in post-tsunami reconstruction also commemorated the day with pensive reflections.

Some survivors continue to speak of the emotional wounds they still carry. The arrival of the day that marked a year since the tsunami hit and the events that were held to commemorate it brought up painful memories and renewed grief among many survivors. While it was important to pause and reflect, in their day-to-day lives, many survivors are steadily finding ways to recover.

Sundari, who lost her husband, Deivasigamani, to the tsunami last year, is still angry and feels hopeless. Since the tragedy, the family has been through severe hardships. Added to this, she has been diagnosed with a heart ailment. Her four children look lost and gloomy. For them, putting their lives together again seems impossible.

The community of Angalamman Kuppam in Cheiyur Thalk, Kanchipuram District organized a prayer meeting with a Hindu priest who performed rites to remember the dead. Special homage badges were pinned on every garment, and the village flag flew at half mast.

The community seems dazed and sad. Their grief loomed large even in their hope. The community took an oath not to fish on the 26th day of every month to remember those who have died. They observed this throughout 2005.

Mr. Shekar, a leader of the panchayat (village council) suspects that “the tsunami may have changed their lives for the worse.” He said the sea has changed in its behavior and that the huge waves continue to challenge their hope for a full return to the sea. Many who were gathered nodded in agreement. They feel the tsunami has changed some serious “sea realities” in terms of the movement of the fish and the fishing practices. A fisherman explained that “the communities have not been able to get a decent catch for a long time, and therefore the communities are not able to make ends meet.” Another fisherman feels the government and non-governmental organizations need to accompany communities until they are able to restore their livelihoods.

Dilli Rani, a leader of a self-help group whose members fish for a living, summarized the past year “as one of difficulties and hopelessness.” The women in the fishing communities play a key role as providers and managers of the resources of the family. Dilli said she has not been able to sell a decent catch all year and so the women are seeking alternate employment opportunities to manage the big gap in their incomes. However, Kalai Selvi, another self-help leader, said, “They still have faith in the sea and that the sea will continue to sustain their lives.”

Shekar, a UELCI volunteer working in a community, observed that the tsunami had destroyed the confidence that the fishing community had in the sea, as they do not know how the sea will behave now. The communities have experienced several unseasonable and “unnatural” waves in the past year. Shekar said the fishing community needs more confidence-building measures with scientific explanations and rationale for the changes they see and experience.

UELCI, with support of ACT members around the world, has been engaged in the relief, post-relief, restoration of livelihood, and rehabilitation phases following the tsunami. It is currently working in Chennai, Kanchipuram district; Cuddalore district; Kanya Kumari and Nagercoil; Nagapattinam and Tranquebar; and Andhra Pradesh.

Indonesia community marks one year since the tsunami

In Aceh, people displaced by the tsunami, the community and YAKKUM Emergency Unit (YEU), an ACT member, hosted an event called Grand Expo Acehku Sayang December 17-18 to mark the passing of one year since the tsunami.

Held at a football field in Lamreh, the event involved all YEU teams from the four areas where it is working - Banda Aceh, Nias, Meulaboh and Lhokseumawe. Each team displayed products made by internally displaced persons (IDPs) involved in YEU’s livelihood-recovery activities.

The event also featured competitions for children and youth in drawing, speech, and poetry, exhibits of pictures and photos, art performances, talk shows and movie screenings. There was also a free medical clinic that provided general, dental, maternal and psychological services.

The local community was involved through a committee that included 92 youth, teenagers and community leaders.

The purpose of the event was to provide a forum for reflection on the situation before and after the tsunami, to encourage members of the Aceh community to be self-reliant, and to show YEU’s continued commitment to serving the IDP community in Aceh.

The Rev. Chandran Paul Martin, executive secretary of the United Evangelical Lutheran Church in India, provided the information on India for this update; YAKKUM Emergency Unit provided the information on Indonesia.