The Number Game

They have constructed a temporary Media Center for the flock of press that have arrived in Banda to cover the 1-year anniversary of the tsunami. I was down there this afternoon to bring them some propaganda and I came across the official 'Damage Assessment & Progress Report' that's been put out by BRR. By living and breathing Banda, I often forget just how destructive the tsunami was. Here are some numbers for the province of Aceh to put things in perspective:

• 129,775 people were killed
• 36,786 people were missing
• Approximately 542,000 people have been displaced because of the tsunami and earthquake
• About 120,000 houses were destroyed
  
• 1,509 bridges were destroyed
• 367 health facilities were destroyed
• 2,224 schools were damaged or destroyed
• 13,828 fishing boats were lost

Although the media has mostly concentrated on the slowness of rebuilding and disbursing of funding, I must say that under all the circumstances, a tremendous amount of aid has gone out to the victims and there's really a rebuilding buzz that surrounds the city. I've also noticed a change in the attitude of the villagers. Even 6 months ago, you got a sense that the villagers felt hopeless and didn't have the drive to rebuild their lives. But now, more and more often, our villagers are approaching us and telling us what new ideas they've come up with, and what they're planning to do in the near future.