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In the aftermath of the tsunami hundreds of thousands of people were forced from their homes, many of them ending up in temporary camps or barracks. Very often, these temporary settlements had limited access to clean water and safe sanitation facilities, and the threat of waterborne disease was rife. To make matters worse many of the hand pumps and wells had either been destroyed or contaminated with sea water during the disaster.

Islamic Relief Water and Sanitation Projects

Delivering water

Islamic Relief initially focused on providing clean water to people living in temporary camps and barracks. In the first year alone, over 66,000 people living in temporary camps received clean water and access to sanitation facilities.

Later on, we expanded our work to rebuilding the infrastructure by reconstructing wells and sanitation facilities, while also distributing 180,000 liters of clean water to more than 19,000 people.

Even now, Islamic Relief is still delivering clean drinking water to over 10,000 people without access to a safe source of water.

Sustainable and Safe

In order to avoid health and environmental problems in the future it is essential that water and sanitation systems are sustainable and meet communities’ long-term needs.

Islamic Relief achieved this by building 39 new wells and cleaning other contaminated water sources. These sources are now providing more than 30,000 people with safe water.

Hygienic conditions

Proper hygiene is important to prevent the outbreak of disease. Islamic Relief has carried out hygiene campaigns in local communities, as well as clearing rubbish from 30 villages.

In addition, we have also built restroom facilities and waste water drainage systems that currently benefit over 12,000 people.

Integrated with other projects

Islamic Relief integrates water and sanitation facilities into all of our construction work in Aceh, including providing facilities in new schools, health clinics and homes. To encourage people to move into the new homes built by Islamic Relief, all of the new houses have suitable sanitation facilities and their own source of clean, safe water.

Supplying schools with water

Babus Sa’adah Boarding school in Lambaed Village, Juta Baro sub-district is one of the oldest schools in Aceh Besar. The school provides education to around 120 students aged between 12 and 19. Around 40 of these children live on the school’s premises.

A school and a home

Many of the students at the school lost their families and friends in the tsunami. For these students, it was of great importance that they are able to continue their education.

Jaslim, 16, lost his parents and his home during the tsunami. “I have been boarding at the school since the tsunami. Here I can study and live with my friends, it helps me to survive.”

Amin Ishak, 65, head master of the school said, “The people of the village built this school and my family was trusted to run it ever since. My hope is that the school will help victims of the tsunami to get a formal and religious education. They need education for a decent future and I believe that it can also help them with their trauma.”

However, like many other schools, Babus Sa’adah was severely damaged by the tsunami and needed considerable work to ensure it could provide quality education and give the children a decent place to stay.

School sanitation facilities

One of the major problems that Babus Sa’adah faced was the lack of sanitation facilities. This was not only an inconvenience to students but also a potential health problem.

To help the school function again, Islamic Relief provided new water and sanitation facilities, including restroom facilities, bathing areas and wash stands.

Safriadi, 19, a student at the school explained, “Before Islamic Relief built the restrooms we had to use the restrooms in villagers’ houses. This was far from ideal, especially at night.

“Now we have our brand new restrooms that can be used every day. We’re happy because we have no need to bother the villagers again.”