Member-only story
Remembering the lives lost, the stories of survival, and the connections made.
It has been 20 years since the 2004 tsunami destroyed Aceh, leaving behind not only damage but also numerous stories of grief, resilience, and unexpected connections. For me, it gave a friendship that has influenced my life, even as I remember those who are still seeking closure.
On the morning of December 26, 2004, I was on leave from work, celebrating Christmas with my mother and my sister’s family in Solo (Surakarta), Central Java. My mother and I were at the market near her house when I received an SMS from my office in Jakarta, a regional intergovernmental organization. The message was a brief reminder about a major earthquake in Aceh, advising all employees, especially those in or near the affected area, to exercise caution.
When we returned home, I turned on the TV, hoping to find more details. Social media wasn’t the powerhouse it is today, so back then, television was the primary source for breaking news.
Living in Indonesia, situated in the Ring of Fire, earthquakes are a familiar occurrence. Reports of tremors in the region are frequent, and I initially thought this was just another — but more powerful — earthquake.