Surviving the Tsunami

Indian Ocean communities are well on the way to recovering from the 2004 tsunami. Myo Chan of ADRA– Myanmar reports one family’s story.

Htan Pin Kone, Myanmar, is a peaceful coastal village where community members depend mainly on fishing and farming for a living. Daw Than Myint and her 18- year-old daughter, Cherry, have lived in the village since Cherry was an infant; her father had drowned at sea. To earn a living, Daw Than Myint sells vegetables and Cherry keeps a grocery store. Day after day, they followed the same routine, earning just enough to feed themselves.

But on December 26, 2004, the unforgettable happened.

The Indonesian earthquake, which measured 9.1 on the Richter scale, triggered a massive wave that devastated scores of coastal communities in South-East and Southern Asia, and Africa. The tsunami rushed onto shore, sweeping everything in its way. In Htan Pin Kone, people ran, yelling, “Run! Run! A killer wave is coming!” Cherry was at home, but fled as the powerful waves gutted the village around her, carrying away 30 people, Cherry included. As the waves retreated, the scene was hellish, with people crying in terror and shouting for help.

Daw Than Myint was on her rounds selling her greens when the tsunami hit.

As soon as she heard, she ran home. Everything in her world was gone! Instead of houses, debris floated about. Seeing no trace of her daughter, a chill of fear passed over her.

Suddenly she caught sight of Cherry sobbing against a fallen tree. She ran and hugged her daughter, both their hearts filled with sorrow at the loss of their friends and possessions.

Soon relief teams arrived to provide support. The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) delivered goods provided by the World Food Programme.

As part of ADRA’s response in Myanmar, food was distributed to the people and meetings were held with the community to discuss the reconstruction effort. ADRA organised the repair or reconstruction of damaged ponds and renovation of roads. Community members got involved in the reconstruction process and felt part of the process.

Daw Than Myint and Cherry participated in the village rebuilding projects, helping to dispose of dirt and rubbish and to repair the ponds and wells. Their contribution to rebuilding their community meant they received food for their immediate needs.

The efforts of people such as Daw Than Myint and Cherry meant that their community soon had vehicular access. The rapid rehabilitation and reconstruction of wells and ponds meant that villagers didn’t have to continue buying costly water.

Although the tsunami took many lives and destroyed homes, it didn’t destroy the hope of the survivors, who, with the help of organisations such as ADRA, have been able to salvage their lives from the waters of destruction, of Boxing Day, 2004.