Tsunami survivors reject new homes

News.com.au | Tsunami survivors reject new homes (10-02-2005):

"'I have nothing and no one left, this land and this community is all,' said Sa'dah, a 48-year-old woman, gesturing to a small clearing in the debris where she has planted rows of pea plants.

Sa'dah lost her husband, mother, three children and 10 sisters in the December 26 disaster. She survived because she was away picking coconuts in an area with quick access to higher ground.

'If the government does not let us rebuild here, then we will ask again, then again, then again. After that, I think we will no longer have the strength to fight.'"


This is so sad. Of course their land means everything to them and when you read of this lady who lost so many people in one go , you have to be moved by the strength of the spirit in her message. The land is where her people died. She belongs to that land and wants to stay there. A barracks can mean nothing to her. Then you have to think that they cannot stay where it has been so devastated and will have air and water borne diseases at the moment. It must be very hard to deal with the emotion of all of this now some of the harsh realities have been dealt with. It seems unfair these people continue to live in fear and suffering and can find no peace in their hearts. I believe they need to be kept safe, warm and healthy at this point in time so they have the strength to rebuild. But for them, and this is something I am coming to understand, the peace in their hearts and spirits means so much more to them. They are so traumatised and yet spiritually so strong. I hope there can be a solution to all of this. Those building the new accomodation might feel hurt their labour has been rejected and yet it is not that. Blood is so much thicker than water.