Press Release: President Clinton Returns to Indonesia on the Eve of the Tsunami Anniversary

As the one-year anniversary of the tsunami approaches, former U.S. President Bill Clinton, the United Nations Special Envoy for Tsunami Recovery, returned to Indonesia today to the region that suffered the greatest damage and loss caused by the December 2004 tsunami. President Clinton met with government officials, officials of the United Nations and other international organizations, civil society leaders, affected communities, and representatives from the Indonesian private sector to discuss both progress achieved and ongoing challenges in the recovery effort.

“From Sri Lanka to India, many areas suffered great destruction last December, but even on that horrific scale, the devastation in Aceh was simply astounding. Today, however, I saw a lot of real progress achieved here since the tsunami wiped out entire communities almost one year ago,” President Clinton remarked while speaking in Aceh today. “Yet we still face many challenges with hundreds of thousands of families anxious to move into permanent homes and regain secure livelihoods. We must ensure a balance between the need for quick results and the achievement of lasting outcomes which ensure better capacity for economic diversification and growth in Indonesia,” he added.

In the course of eight minutes, the tsunami killed 130,000 people in Indonesia and displaced some 500,000. The Indonesian government, UN agencies, international financial institutions, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and the International Federation of Red Cross Societies (IFRC) are involved in a wide range of tsunami recovery projects.

The provision of adequate shelter remains a key priority as more than 100,000 houses were destroyed in the tsunami. Efforts continue to be focused on moving people from tents and other emergency accommodation into more durable transitional shelter, while permanent housing is under construction. The International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) are playing a crucial role in the procurement and distribution of temporary shelters over the coming weeks. Meanwhile, projects designed to assist the 600,000 people who lost their livelihoods range from replacing boats that were destroyed to small business programs, which offer training in management and finance.

During his visit to Aceh, President Clinton visited a community with homes built by the International Organization for Migration (IOM). The homes are part of a community which includes temporary school and health care facilities constructed by IOM and supported by UNICEF and Americares. The former President also visited livelihood programs offered to the community by IOM and the International Labour Organization (ILO), and met with local entrepreneurs.

President Clinton also held a town hall meeting with civil society representatives and residents of a temporary living center, and took part in a commemoration of a gravesite where 900 Indonesians were buried after the tsunami.

“I was so moved by my first visit to Aceh shortly after the tsunami hit, it was inspiring to see today that people are making real progress toward rebuilding their homes, communities and lives,” President Clinton said. “We must support the victims of the tsunami by ensuring that their voices are heard. In the end the recovery effort must reflect the needs and aspirations of these survivors for it to be truly successful. I hope my visit underscores the importance of sustained international support for recovery in Aceh. The challenges of reconstruction will remain long after much of the world’s attention has shifted elsewhere, and friends of Aceh must stay the course in providing critical assistance,” he added.

Commenting on the political situation in Aceh, President Clinton noted, “By all accounts, the demobilization efforts are proceeding well. A long-term vision for Aceh’s development also depends on the peaceful resolution of its three-decade long conflict. The signs today are more than encouraging. Nothing could be more important, if we are to truly build back better,” he added.

President Clinton’s trip to Aceh is his second visit to the region as UN Special Envoy for Tsunami Recovery. The former President visited Sri Lanka yesterday. In each country, President Clinton met with all concerned parties – including the government, civil society, affected communities, the UN, donors and the members of the private sector.

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