In Focus

By Bonnie K. Carenen and Ilmi Suminar

Living conditions are very difficult for the 1,200 families living in the IDP camps after the October 25, 2010 earthquake and tsunami in the Mentawai Islands. Families who are living in tents during the rainy season are surrounded by sticky mud, the noise of people living too close together, the smoky smells of food cooking and trash burning, and the sound of trees being cut down by chain saw and machete as they try to rebuild their lives by building a place to live.

The evacuation site seemed to be packed with tents where the tsunami survivors staying before they get new house or transitional shelter
(Andreas Sinaga/ CWS Indonesia )

In the meantime, they are exposed to weather and potential sickness. “We wouldn’t stay in the tent during the day because it’s really hot, while at night it gets chilly,” said Linus, a survivor whose house was destroyed by the October 2010 tsunami and now lives in a small tent with a wife and his five kids.

“I cannot afford to build a new house,” stated Linus. He expects that the government or other institutions will help his and other families who lost their house to build a new house or a transitional shelter. A house or better shelter is important for them to start their life over. “We worry about our belongings in the tent when we’re at work. Someone might steal them,” Linus pointed out. “We don’t earn enough money because we do not stay at work long,” added Linus who works as fishermen to earn a living. “We are worried about our kids, especially their education. We cannot afford them to go to school.”

This family has been staying in the tent for over 2 months now, with no privacy.
(Andreas Sinaga/ CWS Indonesia )

Helping the survivors establish safer, more durable housing is a priority for Church World Service. After this disaster CWS immediately began providing resources that would help families and communities establish more decent living conditions. “CWS coordinates with the local government in providing transitional shelter for the survivors. And we will commence the construction after we conduct further assessment,” Dino Satria, CWS Indonesia’s Emergency Response and Disaster Risk Management Coordinator, reported.

CWS’ transitional shelters will provide families with dignity and a safe living arrangement. In accord with Sphere Standards, which establish appropriate guidelines for disaster and emergency situations, CWS will teach local residents how to build semi-permanent houses in the Mentawai Islands. These structures can be built quickly using materials that CWS can help provide, and can then be converted into permanent houses that withstand the impact of wind and rain, and also most earthquakes.

For families who have been living in tents, high in the mountains and far from the shoreline where their original homes were washed away like Linus’ and other families in Pagai Selatan Island, Mentawai Islands, the training and resources that CWS provides can be transformative: ensuring life and livelihood for families and for whole communities.