Tsunami Aftermath - Photo Essay

Tsunami Aftermath

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Tsunami Survivors Still Seeking Closure On Missing Loved Ones in Meulaboh, Indonesia
15 Mar 2005

MEULABOH, INDONESIA: More than two months after the earthquake and tsunami, one of the most poignant sights in Meulaboh, Indonesia, is that of people scanning lists of tsunami survivors, still hoping to find missing loved ones. They arrive with hope in front of notices posted outside Meulaboh General Hospital, but most leave without closure.

Meulaboh, on the west coast of Aceh province, was one of the most devastated areas in the calamity of 26 December 2004. But its hospitals and health clinics and are beginning to recover from having to cope with a huge demand for medical assistance with reduced staff, damaged facilities, and limited medical supplies.

For example, the ADB-supported puskesmas (health clinic) in Johan Pahlawan sub-district reopened in early February but 10% of its 66 staff had died and others -- who had been made homeless and sought refuge elsewhere -- had not returned.

At Meulaboh general hospital, also ADB-assisted, operations are recovering slowly after intense pressure. In the aftermath of the tsunami, the number of patients soared 500% but the staff was reduced by 80% through deaths and homelessness and medication.

Each thumbnail below links to a larger photograph.

Meulaboh, on the west coast of Indonesia's Aceh province, was one of the cities most devastated by the earthquake and tsunami.	People anxiously scan lists of survivors outside Meulaboh general hospital to see if their loved ones are somehow still alive.	They come with hope, but most leave without closure after searching for the names of missing loved ones on the public noticeboards.
Families also post advertisements, including photographs, of their missing loved ones outside Meulaboh general hospital.	Woman and child seeking help at the Meulaboh general hospital.	A father and son at Meulaboh general hospital who survived the tsunami -- thousands of families were torn apart by the calamity.
Dr. Marwan, head of the ADB-supported puskesmas (health clinic) in Johan Pahlawan sub-district with equipment that was damaged by the tsunami.	The repair work goes on at the Johan Pahlawan health clinic though it re-opened its doors in early February.	A patient receives attention from a French medic at the Johan Pahlawan health clinic. A French team also helped clear the debris after the tsunami.
Midwives have returned to work at the Johan Pahlawan clinic. Many staff like Fitriana (left), who lost a baby daughter in the tsunami, are suffering from trauma and need counselling.	Mother and child receive attention at the Johan Pahlawan health clinic that reopened in early February with depleted staff -- 10% had died and many had been made homeless.	Girls don't even glance at the devastation behind them as they walk near the Johan Pahlawan health clinic. Such scenes are still part of everyday life at Meulaboh.
Photos by: Ian Gill, Principal External Relations Specialist, ADB

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