Aceh was the province hit hardest by the Sumatra floods in late November, accounting for almost half of the 1,137 deaths. A month later, more than 450,000 people were still unable to return to their homes.
Many of them struggled to get clean water, food, electricity and medical supplies. Aid workers saw families turn to polluted river water because nothing else was available.
We saw how people resorted to using polluted river water for their needs
Ira Hadiati, Aceh coordinator, Medical Emergency Rescue Committee (MER-C)
Health care under water too
The floods damaged more than 115,000 houses in Aceh, along with 141 health facilities, 49 bridges and over 1,300 schools. Entire villages were wiped out.
Unsafe water and damaged clinics are a dangerous mix. Diarrhoea and skin infections spread quickly when people have no choice but to drink and wash in dirty water.
What clean water changes in recovery
- Health: safe water prevents a second wave of illness after the flood.
- Care: working clinics with clean water can treat the sick.
- Return: restored supply is one of the first things families need to go home.
How you can help
Share this story to remind people that disasters don’t end when the headlines do. Follow charities working in Aceh, and tell someone about the families still waiting to go home.
