Global Issues

When Information Saves Lives

Engaging Local Media in Humanitarian Crises

CASE STUDY: Asian Tsunami—Aceh, Indonesia

Wayne Sharpe/Internews

"I know that this studio used to be a garage. But I believe that from here you could open everybody’s eyes to help Aceh to be better in the future. Please don’t leave Aceh. We still need people that are able to help the Acehnese to move forward in the future through their radio programs. The world is in this garage!" — Professor Yusni Sabi, Ar-Raniry University in Banda Aceh, referring to the studio where Internews and local staff produced Peuneugah Aceh

THE NEED

The Asian tsunami of December 26, 2004 was one of the deadliest natural disasters in human history, killing over 225,000 people in eleven countries. In the Indonesian province of Aceh, the earthquake and tsunami killed or injured many journalists. Much media equipment was smashed or washed out to sea, and all media outlets were forced off the air.

THE RESPONSE

Internews, which had been working with journalists in Aceh for six years, responded to the crisis by flying in a radio team and two suitcase radio stations. Internews enabled the only radio station back on the air to extend its coverage beyond the capital, Banda Aceh. Using a team of Acehnese and Javanese journalists, Internews began producing a popular daily radio program, Peuneugah Aceh (News from Aceh), which aired news of relief and reconstruction to 31 Acehnese radio stations and 200 IDP camps for an estimated audience of one million people.

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