Livelihood recovery in the wake of the tsunami in Aceh

This article provides a brief overview of issues relating to livelihood recovery assistance and achievements in Aceh since the December 2004 tsunami. 'Livelihood' programs were intended to help tsunami-affected households quickly resume productive activities and return to 'normal' life. They formed an important component of the tsunami recovery portfolios of the Indonesian government and many international donors, distributing millions of dollars worth of equipment, cash and other forms of support to tsunami victims. This article queries the effectiveness and impact of some of these programs in Acehnese villages, particularly during the early phases of recovery. It is unlikely that an international response on the scale witnessed in Aceh over the last four years will occur again with future disasters. Nonetheless, the 'livelihoods' approach is probably here to stay, and many important lessons can be drawn from the Aceh experience.