MUTUAL SUPPORT IN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FOR EARTHQUAKE RECONSTRUCTION IN ACEH BESAR, INDONESIA

Abstract

On December 26, 2004, the Indian Ocean earthquake, which had its epicenter off the northern coast of Sumatra, was followed by a series of huge tsunami waves, which caused considerable damage to many coastal communities in Asia. In Indonesia, Aceh and North Sumatra suffered the greatest. Many residents rapidly lost their families, homes, fishing boats, farmland, well-being, and self-confidence. Numerous donors provided considerable support, and many victims gradually recovered. Through these tremendous efforts, the victims have gradually regained their well-being; in the over fifteen years since the tsunami, reconstruction has resulted in sustainable community development. This study aimed to determine how the victims have rebuilt their livelihoods and how communities have supported them. The fieldwork comprised interviews with key members of affected local communities in Aceh Besar District in 2006–2018. Some respondents were selected for interview and focus group discussions. This study examines the recovery process, how victims developed social relations, and how they were encouraged and developed self-confidence and independence. The results showed that for the victims, the most important factors in the reconstruction were (1) a firm relationship with family and relatives and (2) a strong sense of community. This study found that women’s activities were supported by Panglima Laot Lhok (fishing communities’ leaders), Toke Bangku (financial traders), and a fish processing association. Those actors were important for the economic, financial, and social institutions in the community. Mutual support in the community and indigenous institutions played roles in strengthening social resilience. The income-generating activities in the mutual system empowered victims—especially women—and their families. The victims developed a feeling of self-confidence and independence that has gradually increased. Through community-based activities, the victims improved their livelihoods.