A decade ago on 26th December 2014, the province of Aceh
In the north-western-most part of Indonesia was devastated by a
disaster of gigantic proportions that shook the world, known as the
Aceh Tsunami.
After years of rehabilitation and
restoration work, today the province and the people of Aceh have
managed to overcome the catastrophe and continue with building their
cities and their life. To remind us of this trageddy that occurred 10
years ago, the 10th Indian Ocean Tsunami Disaster Commemoration will be held on 25th to 28th December 2014, centered in the capital city of Banda Aceh.
The commemoration is intended for people
to reflect and remember the thousands who lost their life in this
tremendous tragedy; a deep appreciation for the sincere response and
sympathies extended by global communities for Aceh’s survival and
redevelopment; and as media to raise awareness globally of the need
for the world to be prepared for, and reduce risks in similar future
disasters. The event will also be an occasion to promote Aceh
internationally as a tourist destination.
Solemn prayers and religious sermons will reverberate at the Baiturrahman Grand Mosque on 25th
December as thousands of people recall and relive those tragic days
through religious activities in the Reflection of Aceh Tsunami Disaster.
The pinnacle of the series of events in this commemoration will take
place on 26th December 2014 to be attended by Government
Officials of the nation and of Aceh Province, representatives from
neigbouring countries, social organizations, and representatives of the
people of Aceh.
Carrying the theme “Let’s Continue
Building Aceh with Heart” the commemoration is expected to raise
contributions from donors, national governments, and governmental
bodies. The commemoration will also be highlighted with a Global
Disaster Expo to be held at the Blang Padang area, and a creative art
and photography exhibition in the Aceh Tsunami Museum on 26th December 2014.
For two straight days, from 26th to 27th
December 2014, there will be Aceh Art Nights as an appreciation from
Aceh to the World. The event will be highlighted with works from some of
Aceh’s finest artists.
The 10 year Commemoration of the Aceh
Tsunami will reach its finale with the Tsunami 10K running competition
as symbol of hope in humanity. Participants will gain a better
understanding on the rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts of Aceh
by running past areas that were destroyed or affected by the Tsunami.
The Aceh Tsunami, also known as the 2004
Indian Ocean earthquake and Tsunami, occurred unexpectedly that
Sunday morning on 26 December 2014, regarded as one of the most
devastating natural disasters in recorded history. The tragedy started
when a huge 9.2 RS earthquake with epicenter near the island of Simeuleu, close
to the shore of Aceh, shook the area. This was followed by an
enormous tsunami that made landfall in Aceh within only 15 minutes. By
the end of the day the Indian Ocean tsunami had killed an
unsuspecting 280,000 people in fourteen countries around the Indian
Ocean from Indonesia, Thailand, Srilanka to the Seychelles and
Madagascar in Africa, drowning coastal areas with waves of up to 30
meters high.
Vast swathes of the west coast of Aceh
that included the cities of Banda Aceh, Calang, and Meulaboh, were
completely destroyed being located closest to the epicenter, giving no
time for anyone to escape. It is estimated that in Aceh more than
170,000 people were killed by this tsunami and about 500,000 were made
homeless.
Today, one can learn more about the
tragic disaster at the Aceh National Museum which is dedicated as a
monument and symbolic reminder of this incredible calamity. Other
stunning testament of the tragedy is the Land-stuck PLTD Apung I Ship
which is a huge Floating Diesel Power Station Ship which
was lifted like a toy and swept up by the huge waves to be thrown and
run aground some 2 kilometers inland.
The Grand Mosque of Baiturrahman is
also a silent witness to the calamity and its miracle, since the mosque
was not much affected by the tsunami although all the surrounding
structures were leveled to the ground. There is also the Thanks to the World Monument
which symbolizes that Aceh was not alone in facing the tragic disaster.
The monument is located at Blang Padang and is built as appreciation on
the part of the people of Aceh to all volunteers and assistance from
around the world who have helped Aceh in the recovery process.
Source : indonesia.travel
0 comments:
Post a Comment