Building Houses, Rebuilding Communities

In the morning of December 26, 2004, the Indonesian island of Sumatra, was hit by two inter-connected disasters - a powerful earthquake that struck the west coast of northern Sumatra, cracking and crumbling buildings, and tossing survivors into the open air - and a tsunami that followed. The demonic waves shattered the lives, the well-being, assets, mental peace and dreams of millions. UN-HABITAT in collaboration with UNDP, immediately started working with the Government of Indonesia and other international organisations to assess the damage, and find the best way to support survivors to rebuild their lives, their families, their communities and economic activities.