As we mark the 21st anniversary of the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami, UNDP and the Government of Japan share the stories of survivors so that their experiences are never forgotten, and communities continue to prepare for the unexpected. 

Interview conducted by UNDP in July 2024 

“That morning, I was with my extended family at a relative’s house. Suddenly, a powerful earthquake shook the ground so violently that I could barely stand. It felt like the end of the world. Soon after, someone shouted, ‘Everyone run, the sea water is rising!’ Instantly, everyone fled the house. Being older, I was the slowest and before I realized it, I was alone. Recognizing the seriousness of the situation, I took a shortcut through the back of the house, hoping to catch up with those who had already run ahead. I ran barefoot, despite my feet still aching from recent hip surgery, and cut myself on sharp objects along the way. 

As I fled, I kept my eyes forward and did not look back. People I met urged me to climb to a higher hill. When I finally reached the hill, they continued to urge me to go higher. Looking back, I witnessed a terrifying scene: debris, including mosque domes, was being carried away by the rising waters. The water climbed swiftly, nearly reaching where I was. I kept climbing, clinging to tree branches for support. From the top, I could see that the land below was entirely submerged. Overcome with emotion, I cried and prayed. I stayed on the hill for three days, fasting the entire time. With no electricity and limited clean water, some people went down to search for food and shared whatever they found. I saw them find rice mixed with sand, which they dried and cooked for us. We were desperately hungry and the children suffered from diarrhoea. We all gathered at a transmitter station, where we waited in line for instant noodles and other food supplies. I received three pieces of bread, of which I gave two pieces to others and kept one for myself. 

On the morning of the fourth day, we decided to leave the hill and take a fishing boat to the refugee area in Banda Aceh. The boat had survived because fishermen noticed the darkened land from a distance. Soldiers helped us board, prioritizing women first. It was extremely crowded and I could barely sit upright. Seeing the overcrowded situation, the soldiers asked some people to disembark to lighten the load. On the boat, I felt extremely hungry and cold, shaking and unable to stand. The journey was terrifying as we navigated through debris. We arrived at Lampulo village by 11 pm. Since it was too late to continue, we spent the night on the boat, extremely hungry and shivering in the cold and darkness. 

On the fifth day, we walked to a mosque. On the boat with me was a relative whose wife and mother-in-law had been killed and whose house had been destroyed. His child was missing. When we reached the mosque, he frantically searched for his child among the survivors, calling out his name. Hearing this, his child ran to him, limping with a severed leg. The reunion was heart-wrenching as the father embraced his child with relief and gratitude. We learned that the child had survived by clinging to a refrigerator door carried by the current until he reached the mosque. 

When I used to recount these events, I would feel sad and cry. Now, I am able to share this story. After the tsunami, NGOs [non-governmental organizations] and the government provided housing aid to disaster victims. By the time the aid arrived, I was already in Medan city, far from Aceh. I worried about missing out on the assistance and inquired if I could still receive it. Thankfully, they provided aid to me. 

We have never returned to our original home that was destroyed by the tsunami. The disaster changed our lives completely. We decided to move to a higher area to avoid similar risks in the future. In addition to the temporary housing we received, we found a very helpful programme: training to make cakes. This programme, a collaboration between NGOs and the government, was designed specifically for widows in our community. It provided not only new skills but also some relief from the burdens we faced after our immense losses. There is a disaster simulation programme conducted every few years to prepare the community for potential emergencies. Additionally, there is a disaster siren system installed in various strategic locations. 

The tsunami was a deeply painful experience that left a lasting impact on my life. This traumatic event taught me how to deal with disasters and take action to protect myself. Now, I feel more prepared to face challenges, thanks to the invaluable lessons I have learned from the hardships we endured in Aceh.”

Read more testimonies and learn more about lessons from the Indian Ocean Tsunami here.