Clean water the first of many steps to recovery - Indonesia

They are both from the same village.

They are both mothers.

They are both survivors of the September 28 earthquake and tsunami in Sulawesi, Indonesia.

And they are both a little unsure about what the future holds.

Nani Cida used to sell cold drinks in front of her house, while her husband worked as a bus driver at the local school. They have two sons.

Above: Nida Cida and her husband.

Eliwati took care of the household while her husband took care of their farm. Their eldest son, aged 22 years, attended university, their 16-year-old son worked as a labourer and their 13-year-old son went to school.

Both Nani and Eliwati lived ordinary lives before the earthquake and tsunami. Not so now.

Above: Eliwati and her husband - beneficiaries in Pombewe

“Since our house is made of wood, it sustained a lot of damage due to the earthquake. Even our kitchen that was made of brick was badly damaged,” Eliwati said.  

Nani Cida’s house was also damaged as a result of the earthquake.

The devastation caused by the earthquake and tsunami has made village life very difficult. With the water pipes that brought water to the community from the mountains destroyed, the villagers couldn’t access clean water for drinking, cooking and bathing.

“ADRA installed a water tank in front of the mosque and we now have clean water for our village,” says Nina Cida.

Access to clean water is one less thing for Nina Cida and Eliwati to worry about.

Their next challenge? To repair their homes and find new means to generate income while farming activities and school bus runs have been disrupted. 

In 2018, CAN DO received AUD $333,300 to support immediate response efforts in Sulawesi. ADRA in Indonesia was one of the CAN DO consortium members already established and operational in Sulawesi. CAN DO partners supported the distribution of shelter kits, water, sanitation and hygiene activities and distribution of other non-food items.