Democracy, One Step at a Time
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Rebuilding Society in Aceh, Indonesia
January 2007
In December 2004, a major earthquake shook northern Sumatra causing a tsunami that devastated communities all along the coastline of Aceh Province in Indonesia. The human toll was massive, and media coverage about the disaster remains vivid in our minds.
Most of us still have strong images of destroyed homes and shattered lives, and we shake our heads at all the work that goes into rebuilding. The tsunami affected more than just the physical infrastructure of Aceh, though. It also had a major impact on social services and local governance.
Two years on, with reconstruction work well underway, it’s critical that communities now begin to focus on restoring social infrastructure – ensuring citizens have a say in public policy. USC is helping to guide that work.
Strengthening Civil Society
Working with Yappika (The Civil Society Alliance for Democracy), USC is supporting a program to strengthen Acehnese civil society organizations and help the people of Aceh rebuild a stable local governance system.
Following the post-Tsunami relief effort, Yappika, assessed tsunami-affected districts in Aceh and found that, aside from meeting basic needs, communities were most concerned about restoring social infrastructure. According to the assessment:
- Communities recognize how important local organizations are in representing their needs to decision makers, but they don’t feel the organizations have the skills to do that.
- Communities are aware that government is responsible for basic services like health and education, but need to understand their rights and learn to demand government action.
- Communities lack a clear understanding of the channels of government and need to learn ways to participate and influence decision-makers.
Rebuilding Society
Through training and technical assistance, Yappika works with local organizations to address these concerns and help the public take an active role in rebuilding their society. Organizations involved learn how to interact with government and shape policies that address public interests.
The Tsunami wreaked havoc on Acehnese civil society but it did not destroy the spirit or skills of those determined to revive it. This program provides an opportunity for the Acehnese people to participate in their own governance and society building. Democracy will be achieved one careful and thoughtful step at a time.
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