Twenty years after a devastating tsunami ravaged Aceh, Indonesia, survivors like Qurrata Ayuni continue to stay vigilant for future disasters. Ayuni, 28, runs a café in the region that serves as a welcoming space for everyone, especially women, and employs and empowers them.
The 2004 tsunami killed around 230,000 people across a dozen countries, with Aceh bearing the brunt of the tragedy, losing over 160,000 lives. Ayuni survived by chance but lost her parents and younger sister in the disaster.
Today, infrastructure in Aceh has been rebuilt, and early warning systems have been set up to alert residents of potential tsunamis. Schools are also taking proactive steps to educate students about tsunamis. In Lhoknga, students regularly participate in disaster simulations, learning how to evacuate quickly and safely.
The school principal, Eka Sari Dewi, believes it’s essential for younger generations to know the history of the tsunami and what to do during a disaster. The simulations have helped students become more alert and prepared, with one student saying they won’t be confused like people in the past if a disaster occurs.
As Fazli, the head of Preparedness in Aceh Disaster Management Agency, puts it, “The biggest hope is that there will be minimal casualties when the next disaster occurs.” Ayuni hopes her generation can better prepare to face such challenges in the future.
Source: https://www.yahoo.com/news/20-years-post-tsunami-generation-015942479.html