The Story Of Rian, A Tsunami Victim In Aceh, 16 Years Of Staying In A Shelter Which Is Often Flooded

Aceh tsunami victims who are still living in the shelter, in Banda Aceh (ANTARA)

BANDA ACEH - Rian Aldiansyah (32), a resident of Lampaseh, Banda Aceh City is still living in a shelter for victims of the Aceh tsunami. It has been 16 years since Rian has lived in the tsunami shelter until now he is married.

"From a long time ago I have lived in this shelter with my father and until now I have married," said Rian Aldiansyah as quoted by Antara, Friday, December 25.

In the shelter house measuring about four meters, Rian lives with his wife and two sons. His first child, named Fiqih, is nine years old and is currently receiving primary education, while his younger brother Ali is only seven years old.

Rian is an office boy at the Aceh Lampaseh Village office with an income of approximately IDR 1.2 million per month. Meanwhile, his wife, Kiki Wahyuni, sells fried foods with a modest profit.

Rian said that their shelter house was always flooded when it rained because it was too low, especially since there was no drainage channel. In fact, the bathroom used was also from the former tsunami house.

"If it rains it enters the water because there is no drain and after the flood, there will be lots of mosquitoes at night because the boards are wet," said Rian.

He has tried to get housing from the sub-district to the Banda Aceh City Government. However, his efforts have not been fruitful.

"Since 2009 it has always been taken care of, only given the queue number at Pemko, but has not succeeded in getting help," he said.

The government's reason, continued Rian, was because he had not met the criteria, one of which was that he was under 32 years old. From the explanation he got from the municipal government, the recipient of housing assistance must be over 40 years of age.

"If that is the case, we will follow the rules, maybe it is not appropriate to give it. Baitul Mal is like that. But we really need a house," he said.

Indeed, Rian's family had received a tsunami aid house from the Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Agency (BRR) on behalf of his father. However, the house is inhabited by his biological brother who is already married.

"One house given by BRR was given to my brother, he already has a family, as well as me. It is impossible to live in one house, so I remain in this shelter," he said.

Rian did not expect much from the government. He only wants improvements to the roof of the shelter, water channels and a little hoarding so that it doesn't flood.

"I do not expect that the house will be ready to be built, at least if there is a repair of the leaking roof, drains, and a little burial under our shelter," said Rian.